Gov. Cuomo threatens to revoke National Grid's license for refusing gas service

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that in 14 days he will revoke National Grid's license for its downstate gas franchise if the utility doesn't create a plan to bring gas to customers that were denied the service.
National Grid has said it cannot meet the demand for gas if the Williams Pipeline proposal isn't approved. The proposal includes a 23-mile extension of an existing pipeline that would run from New Jersey across New York Harbor to the Rockaways.
The pipeline proposal has been rejected twice by New York state for a permit, but the private company that wants to build it has applied for a third time.
Cuomo says the utility mishandled the gas supply system on Long Island and New York City, and says that it recently admitted to the Public Service Commission that it "could have done more to communicate with customers."
He says National Grid denied to provide gas to over 1,100 customers, and that the utility ignored other methods to secure gas needed.
Cuomo says National Grid violated state policy for utilities by denying service.
State Sen. Anna Kaplan says she supports the proposal as a temporary fix for business owners and residents who haven't had their gas turned on. Businesses in Lynbrook and elected officials have rallied against National Grid for denying service for several store fronts in the village.
National Grid issued a statement in response to Gov. Cuomo's letter saying, “National Grid is in receipt of the letter from Governor Cuomo and will review and respond accordingly within the timeframe outlined in the letter. We continue to work with all parties on these critical natural gas supply issues on behalf of all our customers in downstate New York.”