Natural Gas: a little story about local

When did Nat Gas stop being clean?

The City of New York under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg created a substantial Report known as “A Greener Greater New York”.

p. 104 of this Report discusses NYC’s plan for energy, and I note Natural Gas Infrastructure was a key component of the plan. Not only that there is a massive acknowledgement that Natural Gas is green, and furthermore is an important part of NYC’s ENERGY SECURITY.

“Improve energy planning

1 Establish a New York City Energy Planning Board Reduce New York City’s energy consumption

2 Reduce energy consumption by City government

3 Strengthen energy and building codes for New York City

4 Create an energy efficiency authority for New York City

5 Prioritize five key areas for targeted incentives

6 Expand peak load management

7 Launch an energy awareness and training campaign

Expand the city’s clean power supply

8 Facilitate repowering and construct power plants and dedicated transmission lines

9 Expand Clean Distributed Generation (“Clean DG”)

10 Support expansion of natural gas infrastructure

11 Foster the market for renewable energy

Modernize electricity delivery infrastructure

12 Accelerate reliability improvements to the city’s grid

13 Facilitate grid repairs through improved coordination and joint bidding

14 Support Con Edison’s efforts to modernize the grid”

Initiative 10 is found on page 112 of the same report.

“Support expansion of natural gas infrastructure

We will support critical expansions to the city’s natural gas infrastructure. New power plants and expanded Clean DG will both require the use of natural gas, the cleanest-burning fossil fuel. Already, natural gas fuels 80% of our power plants and more than a quarter of all energy used in buildings—and in the coming decade its use will continue to rise.

But there are two challenges to reliable, affordable supply of natural gas in New York.

Four long pipelines carry natural gas into the city, extending from the Gulf of Mexico and the Canadian border. On the hottest and coldest days of the year, our demand already exceeds the capacity of these pipelines by up to 1.2 billion cubic feet. We have been able to ensure reliable heating and power by keeping enough gas in storage to cover this gap, but as demand continues to increase it will become more difficult to meet the need.

This delivery constraint leaves us vulnerable to any disruptions along the pipelines or unexpected temperature swings. New York already has some of the highest natural gas prices in the nation. But when cold weather strikes, the spike in demand propels prices even higher.

For example, during a cold snap in February 2003, natural gas prices went from $7.50 to $28/MMBtu in one day and momentarily reached $40/MMbtu. While other regions in the Northeast and Midwest were experiencing a similar cold front, the price impact was not nearly as dramatic.

As the demand for heat and power grows, these problems will only get worse—unless we take action to expand our natural gas supply. That’s why we will support siting and permitting applications to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other relevant regulatory authorities for additions to our natural gas infrastructure. Currently, there are several active proposals for pipeline projects and liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) terminals that would expand our access to gas.

Given how critical new natural gas infrastructure is to our long-term energy security, the City will support the development of new infrastructure projects that are designed to be sensitive to environmental and community needs.”

Nat Gas Supply is critically important to NYC Energy Security. Keep in mind this is also found smack center as part of their Green Energy planning.

What has changed? The technocrats have moved the goal post. It’s not the carbon goal post but the oppression goal post that inspires them most.

According to Politico: New York nears deal to ban gas stoves in new homes

“Supporters see the potential law as a national model that they hope can spur similar action by other states and the federal government. ALBANY, N.Y. — New York state lawmakers are poised to enact the nation’s first legislative ban on gas and fossil fuel appliances in most new buildings, including single-family homes.

Despite outcry from Republicans nationwide about states and the federal government looking to ban gas stoves, New York appears set to move forward with the proposal in the state budget due March 31. The measures would continue to allow gas stoves in new restaurants, but would ultimately block them in residential and most other new buildings. Details would be worked out by the state’s building codes council.

The proposals face opposition from fossil fuel companies, business groups and homebuilders. Some upstate Democratic lawmakers have concerns about the plan and are sensitive to questions from their constituents about the perceived cost and reliability of electric heating options.”

In a complete test of the power of local outcry Erie County legislature passed legislation blocking Hochul. Thursday, January 19, 2023

Republican caucus resolution passes in Erie County Legislature

I note that this reporting went a bit further and noted that Hochul was banning gas ‘heating and appliances’. SOURCES MATTER POLITICO!

“The Erie County Legislature today passed a resolution in opposition to Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed ban on natural gas heating and appliances.  By a vote of 11-0 Erie County lawmakers rejected Albany’s plan to end the sale of new fossil powered heating equipment by 2030, calling the idea reckless and dangerous.

“Many of my constituents have been calling, very upset about the proposal to ban gas appliances,” said Minority Leader John Mills (11th District). 

“They rely on their gas stoves and fireplaces during storms.  The grid can’t handle it.  Governor Hochul’s proposal would be terrible and deadly for our region.”

“We need to send a strong message to Albany,” said Legislator Christopher Greene (6th District).  “In a region with extreme weather patterns, we need multiple energy sources.  Natural gas was how many people survived during the recent storm.  I’m glad to have sponsored this resolution and happy to have legislature support.”

At least forty people died in the December blizzard.  Many of those victims had lost power in their homes.  Some even ventured out to find shelter elsewhere when they had no heat in their own homes.

“This proposal from the governor had disaster written all over it,” said Legislator Frank Todaro (8th District).  “This vote makes it clear.  Erie County residents want and need to have options when it comes to energy sources in their homes.  In many cases it can be a matter of life and death.”

The Climate Action Council concluded in a recent report that regions with frequent cold or adverse weather conditions need more than one heating source.

“It’s ridiculous to think we should rely on electric to heat our homes and operate our appliances.  The recent blizzard highlighted the fact we can’t count on the grid to work when we need it to,” said Legislator James Malczewski (10th District).  “I hope Albany hears this message loud and clear.  The vote was unanimous.  We need to be able to stay warm when the power goes out.”

Imagine the costs and tragedy for burst pipes in terms of damage to property or worse the loss of life that can happen with these storms.

This county Legislature is primed for further stands against oppressive green boot legislation or globalist regime over-reach. It is a wedge issue that can be capitalized. There are wedge issues that can be part of transformative change: if these counties can be educated individually as to the harms headed our way much strides can take place.

And if you can send me the Hochul vote results on this measure? Google didn’t provide it. Like Gwoodli-do-be-da also didn’t notice Easter.

Can you see a wedge issue that you can whip your county or local government into responding to? These counter-measures matter. I would say that some of our local’s are captured: and some are just good people that are oblivious.

One thing that might just work in terms of framing: instead of us v. them. Make your locals part of the ‘US’. make it so that they also want to be on side with the issue: ie/ our family and friends and community need resilient energy systems during storms. or our family and friends and community need safe school with transparent curriculum, or our health shouldn’t be mandated by a foreign body. Can you even cock-block the WHO at the local level.

APATHY JUST WON’T DO. roll up your sleeves. Get on the horn. Make calls. Go in with friends. Put topics officially on meetings for discussions. Set out motions. Seems a shame to let them stay in that oblivion. It’s time to get dirty. Get an easy one done and then keep them rolling.

TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE IS EVERYWHERE AND ALL AT ONCE AND COMES WITH A BELIEF THAT YOUR EFFORT WORKS. We can do a lot from home, but nothing like getting out into your community and work and make your views known. Come up with a plan, set out small steps and execute it. People are thirsting for TRUTH AND COMMON SENSE. You will be surprised the allies you will make. Sending you blessed love and hope for you day: that hope will grow within you and the the Holy Spirit (whoever your God is to you) will fill you with courage and ingenuity. Moral courage is most infectious when displayed with conviction. That’s a virus we could do well to spread!