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NATIONAL GRID EMBARKS ON RHODE ISLAND NATURAL GAS SYSTEM PILOT EXPANSION NATIONAL GRID EMBARKS ON RHODE ISLAND NATURAL GAS SYSTEM PILOT EXPANSIONNew Construction Intended To Meet Continuing Demand for Natural GasSeptember 18, 2014, Providence, RI - Consumer access to natural gas has always been limited to those living in close proximity to an existing natural gas distribution system. Unless a prospective customer lived on a street where National Grid's natural gas mains were already installed, that person was often left without the opportunity to bring natural gas into their home unless they were willing to shoulder the cost of installing new gas mains to reach their home. When combined, construction and heating system conversion costs could run into tens of thousands of dollars. Over the past several years, as the number of conversions to natural gas grew, it became clear that a way needed to be found to respond to consumer demand for this cleaner burning and more efficient fuel. "Working with the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers and the Public Utilities Commission, we were able to develop a plan that has made access to our natural gas distribution system a reality through our pilot program." said Timothy F. Horan, president of National Grid in Rhode Island. "This project is also an example of 'Connect 21,' National Grid's initiative to address the energy challenges facing America. In this case, it means providing an energy source of customer choice and working with our regulators to make that happen," Horan added. In 2013 the PUC agreed to a plan where the majority of construction costs would be spread across the company's entire RI rate base. The company then surveyed residents in selected areas of the state to determine their interest in signing up for service. Four neighborhoods have been selected for inclusion in the pilot and installation of new mains and service lines have been completed in two locations; in the vicinity of Courtland Lane in Cranston and Mountain Laurel Drive, also in Cranston. Work is currently underway in the Vista Drive neighborhood of Rumford in East Providence and is scheduled to get underway in the weeks ahead in the area of Cool Spring Drive in Cranston. Within the four projects a total of 70 service agreements have been signed with new customers. Within the boundaries of the four areas chosen for the pilot, there are 360 additional potential customers. When work is completed on the four projects a total of approximately 22,000 feet of new gas main will have been installed. Customers who have signed on for the program pay an additional $150 above the $800 that all new customers on the existing distribution pay to have service installed. About National GridNational Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it 'joins everything up'. In the northeast US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com, watch us on YouTube
NATIONAL GRID EMBARKS ON RHODE ISLAND NATURAL GAS SYSTEM PILOT EXPANSION NATIONAL GRID EMBARKS ON RHODE ISLAND NATURAL GAS SYSTEM PILOT EXPANSIONNew Construction Intended To Meet Continuing Demand for Natural GasSeptember 18, 2014, Providence, RI - Consumer access to natural gas has always been limited to those living in close proximity to an existing natural gas distribution system. Unless a prospective customer lived on a street where National Grid's natural gas mains were already installed, that person was often left without the opportunity to bring natural gas into their home unless they were willing to shoulder the cost of installing new gas mains to reach their home. When combined, construction and heating system conversion costs could run into tens of thousands of dollars. Over the past several years, as the number of conversions to natural gas grew, it became clear that a way needed to be found to respond to consumer demand for this cleaner burning and more efficient fuel. "Working with the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers and the Public Utilities Commission, we were able to develop a plan that has made access to our natural gas distribution system a reality through our pilot program." said Timothy F. Horan, president of National Grid in Rhode Island. "This project is also an example of 'Connect 21,' National Grid's initiative to address the energy challenges facing America. In this case, it means providing an energy source of customer choice and working with our regulators to make that happen," Horan added. In 2013 the PUC agreed to a plan where the majority of construction costs would be spread across the company's entire RI rate base. The company then surveyed residents in selected areas of the state to determine their interest in signing up for service. Four neighborhoods have been selected for inclusion in the pilot and installation of new mains and service lines have been completed in two locations; in the vicinity of Courtland Lane in Cranston and Mountain Laurel Drive, also in Cranston. Work is currently underway in the Vista Drive neighborhood of Rumford in East Providence and is scheduled to get underway in the weeks ahead in the area of Cool Spring Drive in Cranston. Within the four projects a total of 70 service agreements have been signed with new customers. Within the boundaries of the four areas chosen for the pilot, there are 360 additional potential customers. When work is completed on the four projects a total of approximately 22,000 feet of new gas main will have been installed. Customers who have signed on for the program pay an additional $150 above the $800 that all new customers on the existing distribution pay to have service installed. About National GridNational Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it 'joins everything up'. In the northeast US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com, watch us on YouTube
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