WASHINGTON, D.C. – A study published today by the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) underscores how natural gas dependency in New England and New York poses a high risk for electric reliability during extreme winter weather under certain circumstances. The analysis confirms that the natural gas system is fully or near fully utilized during extreme conditions and reveals that certain contingencies, such as pipeline disruptions and protracted extreme weather, pose severe threats to reliability.
“NPCC’s report is a sobering assessment and yet another call to action in a region that is running close to the edge,” said Jim Robb, NERC president and CEO. “During winter extremes, the electric system in the Northeast is dependent upon reliable natural gas supply. When rare, but well-observed contingencies occur, reliability is gravely threatened. This untenable situation cannot be mitigated solely by electric system operators, calling out the urgent need for tight operational and planning coordination between the two sectors.”
NERC commends NPCC for undertaking this analysis on the adequacy of the natural gas system to sustain electric reliability in the Northeast. The study is deeply informed by contributions from a diverse Steering Committee comprised of electric and gas systems operators, the Northeast Gas Association, NPCC, and NERC. The study’s credible conclusions should be a rallying cry for stakeholders to urgently develop and implement risk mitigation actions, beyond industry coordination efforts currently underway. NERC is currently conducting similar assessments in other regions and encourages reliability stakeholders to incorporate these assessments into their planning and operating plans.
