New York Natural Gas Companies

Can I choose my natural gas provider in New York?

New York is a deregulated energy market state, giving you the ability to choose your natural gas supplier. Depending on where you live, you may have a significant number of natural gas providers to choose from or just a few. Each natural gas supplier sets their prices, creates their plans, contracts, special offers, and works with the public utility in your area to deliver natural gas to your home.

You will want to make sure that you fully understand the difference between your natural gas provider and the public utility responsible for the local infrastructure that provides the natural gas to your home. Most often, you cannot choose the public utility that delivers the gas to your home. The utility owns the network of piping and infrastructure that is the intermediary between the natural gas grid and your home. If for any reason your service is interrupted, you have an emergency, or you suspect a gas leak, then it is the utility you will need to contact to address the concern. Same thing if you are looking to do some digging on your property to plant any trees, shrubs or to complete a large-scale landscaping project. You will need to call the public utility to send a certified technician to your home to identify where gas lines are located underground.

If you have questions about the price you are paying for natural gas or issues with your contract of service, then you can contact the natural gas provider to address these types of concerns. You are free to change your natural gas provider at any time, but be wary of early cancellation penalties and other fees associated with breaking a contract. Most contracts through natural gas providers in New York can be for 12, 24, or 36-months. If you are totally unsatisfied with your natural gas provider, or you would like to find a new company that has a better reputation for adopting clean energy policies, you can change your natural gas provider once your contract expires¹.

Who are the natural gas providers in New York?

The natural gas public utilities and gas providers in New York depend on the area where you are living.

Here is a list of some of New York utilities and natural gas providers that the NYSPCSC regulates²:

• Bath Electric, Gas & Water System
• Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation
• Chautauqua Utilities, Inc.
• Consolidated Edison Company of N.Y., Inc.
• Corning Natural Gas Corporation
• Empire State Pipeline
• Filmore Gas Company, Inc.
• Keyspan Energy Delivery (New York and Long Island)
• National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation
• N.E.A. Cross of New York, Inc.
• New York State Electric & Gas Corporation
• Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
• Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.
• Reserve Gas Company, Inc.
• Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation
• St. Lawrence Gas Company, Inc.
• Valley Energy, Inc.
• Woodhull Municipal Gas Company

How much does natural gas cost in New York on average?

The unit of measurement used to quantify residential natural gas usage for billing is the 'therm.' Gas providers typically charge a specific price per therm when they calculate your monthly gas bill³. The average natural gas price for New York was around $1.321 per therm as of August 2021. When we compare that to the national average, we see that New Yorkers paid almost 4.3% more than the average U.S. citizen who saw average prices closer to $1.267 per therm. When we compare that to 2020 prices, New Yorkers paid an average of $1.196 per therm during the same time one month earlier. The national average at that time was only $1.031 per therm⁴.

How much is the average gas bill for New York residents?

Depending on how much gas you use, you could see moderate gas bills in the state of New York reach around $115. Systems that use the most natural gas in the average New York residence are used to heat interior spaces and water. It is worth noting that cooking and drying laundry can also use a large amount of natural gas. For example, if you cook more, set your thermostat at higher temperatures, or do large amounts of laundry, you could see your natural gas bill well above the $115 mark.

The same concept is true if you have a larger home or an older home with less insulation or older appliances. Other appliances that could potentially increase your natural gas usage include gas fireplaces, refrigerators, grills, patio heating and fire pits. Gas fireplaces are nice to have, but they can increase your gas bill dramatically. If you are using your gas fireplace in the winter to heat common areas, you may want to consider turning down your thermostat to compensate for the amount of gas that the fireplace requires.

If you are looking for ways to reduce your natural gas bill, you may want to take some measures such as investing in more energy-efficient appliances, lowering your thermostat in winter, and checking to make sure all your windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent drafts.

How do natural gas companies in New York determine their price?

When you first look at the natural gas bill from your natural gas provider, you will typically see a rate per therm. A natural gas company will set their prices based on how much they are paying for wholesale natural gas prices plus whatever overhead and operating costs they may have. Ultimately, a natural gas provider will set retail prices that help the company make a profit. Wholesale natural gas prices are calculated using the unit 10 therms. These wholesale natural gas prices are essentially determined by the basic principles of supply and demand. Supply can be affected by environmental factors, production levels, and severe weather events that can disrupt the supply chain. Demand can be affected by seasonal use fluctuations. For example, in New York, natural gas demand typically can be higher during the cold winter months. This increase in demand can then cause the price of natural gas to increase.

Is natural gas more expensive in New York?

In August 2021, the average New Yorker paid 4.3% more for natural gas than the average U.S. household. Compare that to average natural gas prices in August 2020, and you will see that New Yorkers paid on average almost 16% more than the national average. Although the gap closed between the price of natural gas in New York versus the national average from 2020 to 2021, on average, natural gas is still more expensive in New York.

Are natural gas prices increasing in New York?

Overall, natural gas prices in New York are increasing like they are in almost every state in the U.S. This has been a trend in 2021 due to several circumstances, including reduced supply from significant disruptions to the supply chain that occurred earlier in the year. The significant disruptions in the natural gas supply chain can be connected to severe weather events in states like Texas and Louisiana in February of 2021. The frigid temperatures and snow and ice that hit Texas and Louisiana in February of 2021 caused severe chaos in the natural gas supply chain that affected prices to the point that we are still feeling the effects more than half a year later. Additionally, the overall production of natural gas is lower compared to other times in recent years, which affects the bottom line regarding prices related to supply and demand.

Are there clean natural gas providers in New York?

Yes, there are multiple clean natural gas providers in the state of New York. If clean energy is a priority to you, it may be in your best interest to find a natural gas provider who is committed to providing its customers with natural gas using the cleanest resources possible.

How do I compare natural gas providers in New York?

The best way to compare what natural gas providers in New York can offer is to contact companies directly. While you can research and compare online, this generally only provides an estimate rather than an actual cost. In addition, prices are subject to change, while online resources may not be updated accordingly.

How do I switch natural gas providers in New York?

If you are ready to switch natural gas providers in New York, ask the company you are switching to for advice on changing. You should also check the agreement with your current provider to ensure you can cancel without any penalty.

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1. blog.directenergy.com/shop-natural-gas-new-york↩
2. dps.ny.gov/W/PSCWeb.nsf/All/AF91A30E4F00289785257687006F3A53↩
3. arcadia.com/energy-101/energy-bills/what-is-a-therm↩
4. bls.gov/regions/new-york-new-jersey/news-release/averageenergyprices_newyorkarea.htm↩