Cold Weather Increased Region’s Natural Gas Consumption

Upstate, NY (WIBX) - National Grid set the second highest delivery capacity at the start of the week as a result of below zero weather conditions the region experienced. The company just released its consumption figures and Spokesperson David Graves said the number came close to the natural gas consumption record set in 2004.

Graves said the numbers were gathered at the start of the week from 10:00AM Sunday - 10:00AM Monday. "During that 24 hour period we delivered 4.55 billion cubic feet of natural gas to approximately 3.4 million customers in New York State and New England." He said the previous high was set on January 15, 2004 at 4.7 billion cubic feet.

Graves said the good news is that the company is fully capable of meeting the higher demand throughout the winter months, however, he added that customers should be energy efficient by keeping their thermostat at a lower level. "The one thing we always advice is to think of energy efficiency. You might not need to turn that thermostat up to 74 or 75 degrees--you could keep it at a lower level and still be able to stay warm, and we just ask customers to think about that," Graves said. He added that it's about being thoughtful about the amount of energy each person is using.

Graves said improving the insulation of homes, having more energy efficient windows, making sure heating units are properly serviced, clean and burning efficiently will ensure a maximum benefit from the natural gas being used. "Being able to meet our customers' needs is always gratifying to us," said Nick Stavropoulos, executive vice president of U.S. Gas Distribution for National Grid in a released statement. He said, "Doing it safely and reliably under brutal weather conditions like those we experienced into Monday makes it even more so."

According to the 24-hour findings, New York City area set an all-time record of 1.24 billion cubic feet, Long Island region used 0.83 billion cubic feet and in Upstate, natural gas distribution area customers used 1.04 billion cubic feet. Graves said gas usage in New England represented the region's sixteenth highest throughput.