Liberty Utilities (St. Lawrence Gas) Corp., otherwise known as Liberty New York Gas (NYG), has received approval from the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to adjust base distribution rates in order to work to ensure ongoing safety and reliability of service and offer new programs in support of customers. This is the first delivery rate adjustment requested by NYG since 2015 and was approved June 22, 2023.
The new rates will support ongoing efforts to enhance safety and reliability of the natural gas distribution system, which is essential to keeping residents warm and safe during North Country winters. The plan also helps offset the increased cost of supplies and materials in recent years and recover costs associated with system improvements since the last rate adjustment, including more than $10 million in investments in infrastructure and new technology to modernize the system.
Additionally, the approved plan will support new programs aimed at improving service to customers, such as a new, in-house meter-reading program with three dedicated employees, resources and support for emergency response and planning, damage prevention initiatives around excavation safety, and value-added programs for customers like new bill discounts for low-income residents, enhanced energy efficiency programs, and a new residential methane detector pilot program.
“We are continuously working to ensure ongoing safety and reliability of our system and exploring ways to better serve our customers,” said Liberty New York Gas Vice President and General Manager Mark Saltsman. “And we aim to do this while keeping service affordable for all customers. The new rate plan strikes a balance of these priorities.”
It’s important to note these changes reflect distribution rates, not the cost of natural gas, which customers also see on their monthly bill. The cost customers pay for natural gas is what Liberty pays and is regulated by the PSC.
Click here to view the complete press release, including a chart of estimated customer bill impacts.