New York City-focused Consolidated Edison (ConEd) said it is helping its customers find alternatives to natural gas for their energy needs as it prepares to ramp up investments in energy efficiency, renewables, electric vehicles (EV) and alternative heat resources. 

The utility, which distributes natural gas through 8,000 miles of pipes to 1.1 million customers throughout New York City’s Manhattan, Bronx and Queens boroughs, and in Westchester County, filed an investment proposal with the New York State Public Service Commission that would prepare its system for the region’s low-carbon future.

Last year, former Mayor Bill de Blasio said New York City must “say goodbye to fossil fuels,” including natural gas, in its “large building systems” by 2040. In mid-December,...