NEW GAS SERVICE NOTICE
The Northampton Lateral pipeline that feeds HG&E, Berkshire Gas and Columbia Gas of Massachusetts has been at capacity for some time. Moratoriums on new gas connections have been in place since as early as 2014 for other utilities served by this pipeline. HG&E’s system load has grown significantly over the past several years, with no corresponding increases in supply, due to the capacity constraints. HG&E has been evaluating options to bring additional capacity to the area, and recently received approval for The LNG Infrastructure & Resiliency Project which will enhance system reliability during peak demand and extreme weather events by upgrading critical infrastructure, including the installation of a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tank.
HG&E continues to carefully manage system capacity and will review requests for new or expanded gas service on a case-by-case basis. Service will be approved only where sufficient capacity exists, where no economically viable alternative is available, or where it serves the best interest of the City, including support for critical economic development initiatives.
Residential Service: Due to the lack of natural gas capacity in the region, HG&E will review new natural gas service requests submitted with the form below on a case-by-case basis.
Please note, residential energy audits are a complimentary energy efficiency service offered by HG&E and are required before new residential gas services are considered. Please visit www.hged.com/audit for more information.
Business Service: HG&E may be able to accommodate certain commercial/industrial requests depending on the specific load profile.
Natural Gas Alternatives: HG&E offers rebates and incentives for various electric alternatives to natural gas equipment, including those listed below, for residential customers with an active electric account. (Please see associated program webpages for additional eligibility requirements).
- Space-heating alternatives: Click here for information on rebates and incentives available for heat pumps and mini-splits, an energy efficiency electric heating and cooling system type. (Visit our heat pump/mini-split education webpage to learn more about this technology.)
- Domestic hot water heating alternatives: HG&E offers rebates for electric storage tank and heat pump hot water heaters. Click here for more information.
- Electric clothes dryers: Click here for more information on HG&E's electric clothes dryer rebates.