NGA President and CEO Jose Costa was a featured speaker at the 2025 New Hampshire Energy Summit, held earlier this month in Concord, NH. The event brought together policymakers, utilities, business leaders, and advocates to discuss the region’s evolving energy landscape. Costa’s remarks were moderated by Carolyn O’Connor, Director of Government Affairs at Liberty Utilities.

During the session on The State of the Regional Natural Gas Industry, Costa provided both context and insight into the critical role of natural gas in New England’s energy future. His presentation walked attendees through the structure of today’s gas market, the challenges of being at the “end of the pipeline,” and the opportunities for innovation and emissions reduction moving forward.

Among the highlights of his remarks:

• Regional Supply Realities – Costa underscored New England’s unique position in the U.S. energy system, noting its reliance on imported LNG during periods of peak demand despite the abundance of natural gas in nearby states.
• Market Role of Natural Gas – He highlighted natural gas as both a cornerstone of New England’s heating sector and a backbone of the electric grid, while also calling attention to energy prices and their impact on consumers.
• Emissions & Innovation – Costa pointed to natural gas as a success story in reducing regional emissions and discussed how utilities are exploring new technologies to push further progress.
• Looking Ahead – He offered an overview of regulatory and policy developments that will shape the future of natural gas, as well as NGA’s perspective on balancing the need for reliable, affordable energy infrastructure with regional climate goals.

[A slide discussing emissions reductions during José’s presentation]

Other speakers at the event included NPCC's Charles Dickerson, who offered an insightful keynote, noting the important role natural gas plays in balancing the electric grid and the ongoing challenges presented by the energy transition and state decarbonization goals. In addition, Tom Barasso from the NH Department of Energy, Craig McGahey of Cloud Centers, Carol Holahan of Foley Hoag, Mike Skelton of the Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Representative Michael Vose, New Hampshire Senator David Watters, and Amy Manzelli of BCM Environmental & Land Law all spoke at the conference.

NGA is pleased to have had the opportunity to participate at this important event, and we thank the Dupont Group for hosting these important conversations.

Questions about José’s presentation? Contact Christian Rodrick at crodrick@northeastgas.org