Skip to Content
Author: The BCW

Leave a Comment

Con Ed’s Natural Gas Moratorium Would “Unequivocally” Halt Development in Westchester, Local Officials Warn

A lot is on the line for Westchester County as it eyes a Con Edison natural gas moratorium that could halt all new connections starting March 15.

In response, the Business Council of Westchester immediately convened a high-level task force of major developers that will continue to advocate for both short- and long-term solutions.

During the NYS Public Service Commission’s recent public hearing on Feb. 13, mayors from White Plains, Yonkers and New Rochelle offered testimony in regards to how this would impact development in their cities – and it was bleak.

Click here to read more from the Westchester County Business Journal.

 

County Executive George Latimer said his office had compiled a list of projects that could be lost due to the gas moratorium. These do not take into account the lost economic stimulus to the County:

  • Residential Units to be built: – 16,000
  • Average Residential Rent: – $3,000/month/unit or $36,000/year
  • Lost Rental Income: – $576 million/year
  • Lost Construction Jobs: – 25,000
  • Lost Number of Residents: – 48,000
  • Lost Number of new Residents to Westchester County: – 20,000
  • Commercial Units to be Constructed: – 2,000,000sf
  • Lost Rental Income: – $60 million/year
  • Lost Number of Permanent Retail Jobs: 5,000-7,500
  • Lost Number of Construction Jobs: – 3,500

 

“This move to abruptly and quickly halt new gas-line hook ups in Westchester County will be a tremendous blow to our economic development. This blow is particularly serious in our major cities where development has been the base of their economic revival efforts,” County Executive George Latimer warned in a statement to the NYS Public Service Commission.

John Ravitz, chief operating officer of the BCW, said that the state’s unwillingness to approve any new pipelines has clearly backfired – and now some really tough decisions must be made.

“We now have the worst of both worlds: no available new gas supplies and no viable alternatives,” he said.

Similar News Items

BCW Member Northwell Health is going to be the lead sponsor of the professional soccer team that is going to make its home at Mount Vernon’s Memorial Field, according to an announcement from BCW Member Westchester Soccer Club (WSC), a new USL League One franchise. Northwell has committed to the sponsorship for the club’s inaugural […]

Read Article

BCW Westchester Innovation Network participant Laronix held a showcase Wednesday to demonstrate its MIRA Voice device that uses artificial intelligence to help people with spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy and other conditions regain the ability to speak clearly. The event at Serendipity Labs in White Plains welcomed medical professionals and others curious about MIRA Voice […]

Read Article

Congratulations to BCW Member Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) on the groundbreaking Wednesday to commemorate the start of construction of the Critical Care Tower at Westchester Medical Center, a $220 million project that will span 162,000 square feet and rise five stories when complete. Located adjacent to Westchester Medical Center’s Main Tower, the Critical […]

Read Article

Become A Member

Join the county’s largest and most influential business organization today.

JOIN NOW!
The Business Council of Westchester is committed to helping businesses market, learn, advocate, and grow. Over 80 events and programs are offered every year, giving our members ample opportunity to connect and meet with businesses representatives in the Westchester community and beyond.
Back to top