Ready For Winter: Orange & Rockland Fortifies Electric Systems, Prioritizes Gas Safety Ahead of Winter Cold
As winter approaches, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) is upgrading its electric and gas delivery systems to improve reliability, while also offering customers new ways to potentially save on monthly bills.
Between volatile weather and energy prices, winter remains a challenging time for customers. As a result, O&R remains proactive, taking steps to ensure our infrastructure remains resilient and our customers have even more tools to manage costs.
“Delivering resilient power through freezing conditions takes year-round preparation and targeted system upgrades,” said Won Choe, vice president of Operations at Orange & Rockland. “As we fortify our infrastructure against winter weather, we remain equally focused on helping our customers manage their household budgets with bill assistance and energy-saving tools.”
Fortifying the Grid
Reliability during extreme cold starts long before temperatures drop. O&R’s year-round storm-hardening strategy accelerated through spring and summer with major infrastructure enhancements. Today, crews are executing targeted, high-impact upgrades in strategic locations to strengthen system resilience against snow, ice, and high-wind events.
Investing in Reliability
O&R is building two new substations designed to help facilitate increased demand across the service territory.
In Warwick, construction is underway on the new $65 million State School substation on John Hicks Drive. And in the town of Monroe, a $102 million project is moving forward on Forest Avenue. Both projects are expected to be energized by May 2027.
O&R is also nearing completion on one of its largest underground projects in company history. In Clarkstown, as part of the Transmission Line 705 project, approximately 5.5 miles of new underground transmission cable is expected to be fully installed by early 2027. This $76 million investment will provide additional electric capacity to southern Rockland County, while also shielding infrastructure from severe weather.
Also, in Clarkstown, two storm hardening projects bringing distribution lines underground on Old Nyack Turnpike and Pascack Road are nearing completion. Work is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.
Improving Gas Safety
As the heating season approaches, O&R has taken steps to increase the safe usage of natural gas in homes and businesses.
The company is offering free replacement of older-model gas meters for customers. This process ensures even safer delivery of natural gas into homes and other properties. O&R selects gas meters for exchange on a rolling basis. Selected customers are prompted to schedule an appointment to swap out their current meter for a new model, at no cost to them. 640 gas meters have been replaced this year.
O&R is also installing natural gas detectors at no charge to customers. These devices are placed near a customer’s gas meter and sound an alarm in the event of a gas leak — alerting O&R and the local fire department for dispatch to the location. More than 800 detectors have been installed so far in 2026.
Winter Energy Costs
A typical O&R residential electric customer using 550 kWh per month this winter will pay approximately the same amount as last winter’s $171 per month.
As a result of decreased forecasted supply costs, O&R currently projects that its typical residential natural gas heating customer using an average of 148 ccf per month this winter will pay approximately $258 per month from November 2026 to March 2027, 6.4 percent less than the average bill of $276 per month a year ago.
The company does not set supply costs and does not make a profit on the supply. However, O&R does take steps to keep energy bills as low as possible. These steps include locking in energy prices when energy is cheaper.
O&R buys natural gas and electricity on the wholesale markets and uses a variety of strategies to stabilize pricing for customers.
Natural gas supplies are expected to remain sufficient this winter, but any disruptions from interstate gas transmission providers or severe weather could constrain supplies. O&R remains vigilant in its monitoring of operational conditions. O&R notes that energy costs can change quickly due to international events, economic trends, weather, and other factors. The company will continue to refine its winter pricing forecast.
Managing Your Winter Bills
The least expensive and most environmentally friendly energy is the energy that is not used. The best way for customers to take control of their bill is to manage their usage of gas and electricity by following these energy saving tips.
- Set thermostats at the lowest comfortable temperature. Each degree higher increases heating costs.
- Clear area around heating and cooling vents. Carpets, furniture, and other objects can block vents and prevent heated air from circulating in your home.
- Have a qualified contractor clean and inspect heating systems.
- Wash clothes in cold water to avoid using unnecessary heating.
- Insulate hot-water pipes and warm-air ducts that pass through unheated areas. Clean or replace filters for the hot-air furnace and heat pump.
- Swap out window shades seasonally. Light-colored window coverings reflect the sun's energy, while darker ones absorb it and release heat.
- Take showers instead of baths. Showers use half as much water as baths. Less hot water means less energy used.
- Unplug electronics when they’re not in use. Some high-energy devices like computers, televisions, and game consoles use electricity even when they’re turned off.
O&R is proud to offer customers several new tools this winter season to help them manage usage and potentially lower their bills.
Customers who receive benefits from certain government programs may also qualify for discounts on their energy bills through the company’s Energy Affordability Program. So far in 2026, O&R provided $23.3 million to reduce bills of approximately 21,200 income-eligible customers.
O&R is also offering bill relief to customers who do not qualify for public assistance. Through the Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP), customers with incomes below the state median may be eligible to receive bill discounts. Customers can check their eligibility here.
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), a federal program, also provides benefits to income-eligible customers to help cover heating costs. For more information on the 2026-2027 HEAP application schedule, click here.
Meeting Your Needs
This year, O&R rolled out the new Energy Dashboard, an interactive hub giving customers powerful tools to help make smarter energy management decisions, discover savings opportunities, and access programs and rebates — all tailored to their individual needs.
This is a great way for customers to potentially reduce costs, upgrade equipment and weatherize their homes before it becomes an emergency.
About O&R
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies. O&R is a regulated utility that provides electric service to approximately 300,000 customers in southeastern New York State (where its franchise name is Orange and Rockland Utilities) and northern New Jersey (where it’s Rockland Electric Company), and natural gas service to approximately 140,000 customers in New York.