Natural Gas Demand Response Program for Firm Customers
Get paid to reduce your energy use.
Our Gas Demand Response Program is designed to reward businesses for reducing their energy usage when overall demand may exceed acceptable levels. This allows us to ensure the safe, reliable flow of energy to all, while reducing costly infrastructure upgrades.
Earn incentives for using less energy during peak demand.
By reducing your business’s energy consumption during peak hours, you could receive financial incentives. Peak hours are typically between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The first step is to determine which option is right for your business. Your incentive amount will be based on the amount of demand reduction you can offer:
In both cases, participants are requested to curb their natural gas usage when the temperature is expected to be 10° F or lower.
- Events may be called between November 1 and March 31.
- Following the program period, eligible customers can receive an incentive for participation, even if the events are not called. Participants can opt-out of any event.
Ready to get started?**
Enrollment ends September 30, 2025.
* Please select option #4 (Commercial Gas Energy Efficiency Program Information) and leave your contact information: name/organization, phone #, email address. We will get back to you shortly.
**Note for Long Island customers: In order to participate in the program, we will need to install simple devices to monitor your gas usage, which requires a dedicated power circuit close to the meter location. For our Long Island customers, this location is outside the building and therefore the conduit/fittings need to be outdoor rated (if applicable). Electrical fit-out needs are the responsibility of the customer.
Customers may enroll in the Companies' Commercial, Industrial and Multifamily Programs directly with National Grid (as a Direct Participant) or through a Third-Party Aggregator. A direct participant may self-aggregate multiple individual accounts of their own.
The incentive for this program is based on the amount of reduction you can offer within the plan option you choose, subject to your performance during events. An estimate of your incentive is up to 15% of your annual gas spend. Please see the table below for participation options. Your maximum potential incentive will be estimated during review of your application. The Direct Control participation option earns higher incentives. “Direct Control” means National Grid is able to switch customer equipment during tests or events.
Load Shedding Demand Response Program
| Option | Event Hours | Direct Load Control |
|---|---|---|
| Non-DLC | 6-10AM and/or 4PM-8PM | No |
| DLC | 6-10AM and/or 4PM-8PM | Yes |
Load Shifting Demand Response Program
| Option | Event Hours | Direct Load Control |
|---|---|---|
| Load shifting | 6-10AM | No |
- This program is NOT available to interruptible or Non-Firm service customers. Customers enrolling in the Load Shedding option will require an alternate fuel source, such as oil, propane, or electric heating, to participate. Customers willing to turn off non-heating loads (i.e., process loads, electric generation, etc.) are also encouraged to participate. Participating customers must reduce their gas usage during Demand Response Event days. The Demand Response Events will only last for a pre-determined period of time (please see previous table for participation time options).
- Demand Response Events may be called for days when forecasts indicate the low temperature at either Republic Airport or LaGuardia Airport will be at or below 10° F.
- Your rate won’t change, which means no changes to your bills, billing cycle, or anything else.
- We will arrange the installation of simple devices that will allow us to monitor your usage and possibly switch your equipment during events if you choose the Direct Control option. National Grid equipment and installation is free. However, there may be costs to you associated with electrical fit-out needs or customer equipment compatibility.
- Notifications for events will be sent no less than 20 hours before the start of an event (i.e. by 10AM the day prior to the event morning).
- Incentive payments will be mailed out within 90 days of March 31, 2026. Incentive levels are based on customer-enrolled demand reduction amounts, subject to performance during events. There are no penalties associated with not performing during an event.
- Program available to National Grid Firm Commercial, Industrial, and Multi-Family customers in Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island (excludes Staten Island).
- Customers can earn incentives of up to 15% of their annual gas bill. Incentives will be calculated based on performance during events in the season.
The following are the Winter 2025-2026 incentive rates for both reservation and performance payments:
| Program Option – Load Shedding | Event Window(s) | Reservation Payment | Performance Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non DLC | 6-10AM and/or 4-8PM | $46/Dth/Month | $20/Dth |
| DLC | 6-10AM and/or 4-8PM | $55/Dth/Month | $20/Dth |
| Program Option – Load Shifting | Event Window(s) | Reservation Payment | Performance Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non DLC | 6-10AM | $50/Dth/Month | $20/Dth |
Note: 1 Dekatherm (Dth) = 10 Therms (Th) = approx. 1,000,000 BTU’s.
You will have the option to increase your earnings up to 20% when applying your incentive to an energy efficiency project. The deadline to apply for the additional incentive is May 31, 2025 and is based on funding.
- To obtain information related to your customers' participation in the Natural Gas Demand Response Program for Firm Customers, email us at gasdr@nationalgrid.com stating your request, name, and contact information, along with a Letter of Authorization from your customers authorizing you to receive such information.
- To receive Natural Gas Demand Response Program event notifications, email us at gasdr@nationalgrid.com stating your request. Please list your name, your company name, and all the email addresses and corresponding contact information you'd like to include in the Gas DR event emailing list.
Customer Success Story
Gas Demand Response helps DNY health network meet their goals
Northwell Health has one important priority for its 21 hospitals and more than 850 outpatient facilities - working towards aggressive sustainability goals while being good stewards and shepherds to all the communities, people and patients it serves. Watch this video to see how we were able to partner with them to help achieve their ambitious sustainability goals.
Other ways we can help your business save.
Receive professional support to make your energy upgrade projects fast and seamless.
Let us help you find the smartest ways to manage the steam energy needed to run your businesses.
Get the financial incentives you need to ensure reliable heat and hot water for your facility.