Technical and Policy Support with Utility Regulation in New York 2025
Synapse has provided the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) with technical and policy support in several New York Public Service Commission proceedings for over a decade on a range of issues including gas and electric affordability, reducing emissions from the supply and distribution of energy, and more. In 2024-2025, Synapse developed a whitepaper about using geospatial analysis to identify and prioritize non-pipeline alternative (NPA) opportunities on natural gas systems. We envision a geospatial analysis tool that gas utilities, regulators and stakeholders can use for multiple objectives, like reducing infrastructure investments and downsizing the distribution system. This piece describes the characteristics and data needed to support this tool.
Also during this time period, Synapse developed testimony for filing in the Con Edison gas rate case. This testimony assessed the scale of the Company's investment in NPA programs relative to traditional gas infrastructure programs, and affordability for customers heating their households with heat pumps.
Synapse reviewed National Grid’s Long-Term Plan Addendum in Case 24-G-0248 seeking approval to enter into an agreement with the owner of the Northeast Supply Enhancement project, which would increase gas capacity into its downstate territory. Synapse developed a memo critiquing National Grid's forecasted supply constraint and other aspects of the Company's filing and analysis.
Finally, Synapse reviewed a Grid of the Future Plan and Grid Flexibility Potential Study and provided comments. In its comments, Synapse proposed performance metrics for consideration by the Commission based upon metrics proposed in other jurisdictions.