BGC, CNG, SCG Ensure Safe, Reliable Service During Winter Cold Snaps, Meeting Increased Customer Demands
Extreme cold weather drives higher natural gas consumption; companies enhance communication, bolster staffing, withdraw gas from storage, and LNG plants to maintain uninterrupted service
Footage HERE of Connecticut LNG Plant, Gas Control, and Gas Supply team
ORANGE, Conn. — February 27, 2025 — During the recent cold snaps across the region from January to February, Berkshire Gas Company (BGC), Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG), and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), subsidiaries of Avangrid, Inc., successfully maintained safe, reliable natural gas service using a diversified gas supply portfolio, underground storage, three Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Relying on pre-planned resources and operational strategies, the companies ensured uninterrupted service during peak demand periods driven by this season’s extreme cold weather. Footage from the Connecticut LNG plant, along with interviews featuring Tom Kennedy, Director of LNG Gas Control for BGC, CNG, and SCG and John P. Rudiak, Senior Director of Energy Supply at Avangrid are available HERE, highlighting the strategic efforts made to ensure service reliability during the coldest days of the year.
“Ensuring uninterrupted natural gas service is our top priority, especially during extreme weather events," said Frank Reynolds, President and CEO of CNG and SCG and CEO of BGC. "Our team works year-round to prepare for these conditions by proactively planning for the necessary supply and ensuring adequate staffing resources. This enables us to meet rising demands during peak usage periods while also keeping energy costs affordable. We look forward to continuing to provide this essential service to our customers on the coldest and warmest days of the year.”
The cold snaps led to a significant rise in natural gas consumption, especially during early morning and evening hours. To meet this surge, the companies employed strategies such as increased withdrawals from storage, enhanced staffing at LNG plants, and close coordination between control room personnel to monitor system performance and ensure efficient gas distribution.
“We are dedicated to maintaining the highest safety standards while providing reliable service to our customers,” said Tom Kennedy, Director of LNG Gas Control for BGC, CNG, and SCG. “Our gas control, LNG personnel, and gas supply teams work tirelessly, around the clock, to ensure that our customers continue to receive the safe, reliable service they depend on—without disruption—even in the harshest weather conditions.”
During the cold snaps, the companies also held more frequent daily coordination calls among Gas Supply, Gas Control, and LNG teams to assess real-time needs and adjust resources accordingly. This collaboration helped the teams monitor usage patterns and allowed for quick response to changing demand. Additionally, the companies activated their three LNG facilities, using the ‘peak shaving’ process to re-gasify natural gas stored in liquid form during the highest demand periods, ensuring continuous service.
“Our operational success is driven by more than just our infrastructure—it’s our strategic planning and the dedication of our people,” said John P. Rudiak, Senior Director of Energy Supply at Avangrid. “We plan with a long-term view to ensure reliable supply through any and all-weather events. Our team’s seamless collaboration ensures our communities continue to receive the safe, reliable service they expect.”
To ensure continued reliable and resilient service for all customers, the companies are also committed to ongoing infrastructure investments aimed at identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to gas distribution systems. Through the state-mandated Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP) for CNG and SCG, and the BGC Gas System Enhancement Plan (GSEP), the companies have replaced hundreds of miles of aging gas mains with modern plastic piping. This proactive approach reduces the risk of leaks while enhancing system safety, reliability, and sustainability.
As public utilities, the companies rely on state regulatory support to maintain continued operations. However, in Connecticut, SCG and CNG have faced challenges due to insufficient revenues provided by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). The November 2024 revenue cuts in the companies' most recent rate cases (Docket No. 23-11-02), totaling $35 million, have led to credit downgrades by S&P Global and Moody’s Rating, directly impacting the companies’ ability to provide reliable, resilient, and affordable service. These cuts restrict access to capital at affordable rates, defer essential investments, and will ultimately lead to higher prices for customers. The companies have appealed PURA’s Final Decision in an effort to secure sufficient revenues to maintain their financial integrity.
Media Contact:
Marina Bach