The objective of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation’s (“National Fuel” or “Company”) Non-Pipe Alternatives (“NPA”) program is to consider and implement affordable alternative energy solutions for customers that may defer or avoid investments in certain traditional natural gas capital projects necessary to address natural gas system reliability and safety concerns. We are committed to collaborating with interested parties to identify, evaluate and implement solution alternatives that meet the Company’s objectives, and comply with regulatory directives and state environmental policy.

As the Company embarks on this new NPA endeavor, it is interested to gain experience from working cooperatively with other utilities and stakeholders. Innovative NPA solution proposals may include, but are not limited to, gas energy efficiency improvements, gas demand response programs, electrification (which may include a variety of heat pump technologies as well as other solutions), thermal energy networks, or the introduction of alternative natural gas equivalent energy supplies such as renewable natural gas.

National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation will identify and offer potential gas infrastructure projects that qualify for NPA review by interested qualified parties.  Parties will be invited to submit their NPA proposals to the Company which are cost effective for customers, provide customers with alternative solutions achieving equivalent levels of reliability and safety to the traditional natural gas system, and reflect full cost recovery and earnings opportunities for National Fuel.

As technologies, regulatory requirements and state environmental policies evolve, we will consider and evaluate natural gas system safety and reliability needs and the traditional natural gas capital projects for opportunities to defer or avoid spending on those projects through NPA solutions. NPA resources needed for large scale projects (i.e., those projects which are projected to cost more than $2M) will be procured through a competitive solicitation process and evaluated using an accepted benefit cost analysis framework which utilizes a Societal Cost Test. Small scale projects, (i.e. those that are $2M or less) may be procured using a streamlined procurement and benefit cost analysis process in order to shorten the project timeline.  As projects are identified and disclosed, we will provide, as appropriate, maps showing the location of the potential NPAs and data that will enable developers to pursue demand-side solutions, such as peak hourly gas reduction requirements and pressure-related information.

Two requests for proposals (RFPs) are open for solicitation within National Fuel’s service territory. These projects are located in the Highland Drive neighborhood of the Village of Williamsville, Erie County, NY and at Honeoye Lake in the Town of Richmond, Ontario County, NY.

Interested parties are encouraged to attend the virtual pre-bid meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 12^th, 2025, as pre-bid meeting attendance is required to be eligible to submit proposals for these NPA projects. Please contact National Fuel’s Non-Pipe Alternatives Team via email (NPA@natfuel.com) to request an invitation to the virtual pre-bid meeting.

Bids are due by noon on March 28^th, 2025, and must be submitted through National Fuel’s online project management portal PMWeb. Proposal evaluations are anticipated to be complete by mid-June 2025 and bidders will be notified of their status following completion of this evaluation. Acceptable NPAs must be in service by August 31^st, 2026, for the Highland Drive project and by September 30^th, 2026 for Honeoye Lake.

Additional relevant information can be found below.

National Fuel is currently soliciting proposals for two locations where customers may be served through non-pipe alternatives. RFP documents are published on National Fuel’s online project management portal PMWeb and can be requested via email (NPA@natfuel.com). These documents include relevant project information, target project milestone schedule, proposal requirements, and additional terms and conditions.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact National Fuel’s Non-Pipe Alternative Team via email (NPA@natfuel.com) regarding access to PMWeb and bidder eligibility.

Highland Dr, Williamsville NY

Customer Count: ~175

Honeoye Lake, Richmond, NY

Customer Count: ~700

National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation welcomes questions and comments from residents and community members.  Additionally, if you are an alternative energy solution contractor or vendor and are interested in receiving email notifications of NPA solicitation opportunities, please provide your email contact information by clicking on our email address below and we will notify you of NPA opportunities.

Email: NPA@natfuel.com