As a polar vortex brought dangerously cold temperatures back to the Northeast, National Grid safely delivered record levels of natural gas across New York state.

On February 7, 2026, National Grid set a new all-time gas output record on Long Island and the Rockaway Peninsula, while National Grid’s service area in New York City (Staten Island, Brooklyn, and parts of Queens) recorded its second-highest day ever for natural gas output.  

In addition, Upstate New York experienced its eighth-highest output day on record, and across National Grid’s combined New York and Massachusetts footprint, the company recorded its third-highest output day ever.

In total, eight of the top ten highest natural gas output days in National Grid’s history on Long Island have occurred between January 23 to February 7, 2026, surpassing a previous record that had stood since January 21, 2019. In that same period, New York City hit three of the top ten days of natural gas output.

“Our outstanding workforce – and the natural gas system they operate – performed exceptionally well across New York under some of the coldest and most demanding conditions we’ve seen in decades,” said Sally Librera, President, National Grid New York. “I’m proud of the team's work to prepare, maintain and operate our system so that it safely and reliably delivered record amounts of energy to more than 2.5 million customers across New York State. These brutally cold temperatures continue to underscore the critical role natural gas plays in keeping the lights and heat on for millions of homes and businesses in New York.”

Despite extreme temperatures and record demand, National Grid’s natural gas delivery system performed safely and reliably throughout the event. Company officials continue to closely monitor system conditions as winter weather persists.

On February 7 alone, National Grid delivered more than 1,196,680 dekatherms (Dth) of natural gas to customers on Long Island and the Rockaway Peninsula—exceeding the prior record set just one week ago on February 1. New York City recorded 1,437,060 Dth, its second-highest throughput day on record, while combined throughput across New York and Massachusetts reached 4,874,796 Dth, the third-highest day in company history. Under extreme cold conditions, a typical household uses approximately 10–15 therms of natural gas per day. Ninety percent of electricity in downstate New York is produced by natural gas generation.

With record usage and high commodity costs expected to result in higher bills, the company encourages customers to explore its energy assistance programs, budget billing options, and payment plans, which are available to help manage winter heating costs. National Grid does not profit from the volume of natural gas commodities it purchases on behalf of customers.

National Grid offers the following tips for customers to stay safe and warm:

• The buildup of ice around or over gas meters and vents for natural gas appliances could pose a serious safety risk. Ice falling from a roof can damage gas meters or service connections to customers’ homes or businesses, resulting in a gas leak.
• Ice blocking vents could cause carbon monoxide (CO) to back up into a building and result in carbon monoxide poisoning for those inside.
• National Grid recommends carbon monoxide detectors be certified by Underwriters Laboratories, and that the packaging and/or device has symbol of the letters UL in a circle. Ensure that your device is either battery-powered or has a battery backup system and test it often.
• To avoid these dangers, National Grid advises natural gas customers to closely inspect areas around and over gas meters, service hook-ups, and vents for ice that could damage equipment or prevent CO from properly venting.
• NEVER use a gas range to heat an apartment, or house. The range's oven and top burners are designed to cook food, NOT to heat a home. Prolonged use can reduce oxygen levels in the home and contribute to unusually excessive levels of CO.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

• Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on each floor of the structure, including the basement, and at least 15 feet away from any appliance or system that may emit carbon monoxide.
• The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of the flu. Depending upon the amount of carbon monoxide in the air and length of exposure, symptoms may include headaches, weakness, confusion, chest tightness, skin redness, dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, fluttering of the heart or loss of muscle control.
• If you suspect carbon monoxide is present in your home, go outside immediately and breathe deeply; then call 911. If symptoms are severe, get medical attention right away.

Natural Gas

• National Grid advises that you take immediate action anytime you suspect a natural gas leak:
  • Get out – All occupants should leave the house immediately. Do not use the telephone, light switches, or automatic garage door opening for any reason. Immediately evacuate everyone outside, breathe fresh air deeply, and call 911.
  • Call us – After leaving the house and reaching a safe environment, call National Grid’s 24-hour gas emergency number for Long Island and the Rockaway Peninsula at 800-490-0045 or for Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island, call 718-643-4050
  • Stay out – Don’t return to your home until National Grid tells you it is safe to do so.
• If energy equipment is located near your driveway or parking lot, and you have a vehicle-mounted snowplow or use a snow removal service, ensure that the equipment is well-marked, so the vehicle operator knows to keep a safe distance. Striking a natural gas riser with a plow could cause injury and result in repair expenses.

National Grid provides information on billing assistance programs to customers as well, including:

• Project Warmth:  Administered by United Way of Long Island supported by National Grid, provides heating grants to customers who are below 60% of area median income, proof of income is required, a HEAP denial is required for new clients. Assistance caps per household are as follows: Oil, Gas or Electric Heat $500, Fuel-related Electricity $200. No second benefits or credits will be issued this season.

• Hope & Warmth: Administered by National Grid through HeartShare Human Services, provides heating grants to customers between 60% and 100% of area median income who have an account balance greater than $1. Grants include $500 for heating accounts and $100 for hot water/cooking only account. Opening February 9, 2026.

• Energy Affordability Program – Monthly bill credit for customers that fall within HEAP income guidelines. Customers who receive HEAP are automatically enrolled, but customers can also self-certify with one of fifteen different qualifying programs.

• Enhanced Energy Affordability Program – Monthly bill credit for customers that fall between 60% area median income and 100% area median income in Long Island.

• EmPower+ – Residential weatherization program administered by NYSERDA for customers below 80% state or area median income whichever is higher. Customers can receive a no-cost home energy assessment to pinpoint where energy and dollars are being wasted, no-cost direct install improvements identified during the assessment and funding toward the cost of energy efficiency improvements.  

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) delivers electricity and natural gas to more than 20 million people across New York and Massachusetts. We’re committed to meeting our customers’ energy needs and supporting economic growth across the regions we serve—providing safe, reliable energy today and building the resilient networks of the future. National Grid Ventures, our commercial business, develops and operates infrastructure that delivers affordable and reliable energy to consumers. National Grid Partners, our corporate investment and innovation arm, invests in and collaborates with technology companies that are transforming the energy sector and accelerating industry-wide innovation.

For more information, please visit our website, follow us on X, watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find us on Instagram.