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Non-profit

Northeast Gas Association (NGA)

Location:

Needham, MA
Tax ID:

04-1662000
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(6)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $16,604,712
Expenses: $17,179,008
Assets: $13,781,609
Type:

Nonprofit natural gas industry trade association
Founded:

1926
President and CEO:

Jose M. Costa

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The Northeast Gas Association (NGA) is an association of natural gas firms dealing in distribution and transmission in the Northeast United States and of groups affiliated with the industry. The Northeast Gas Association promotes training, safety, and technological advances in natural gas. Despite findings that indicate natural gas produces less carbon dioxide emissions than other conventional fuels, left-of-center groups were found to have raised four times the amount of money fighting against all fossil fuels including natural gas than industry associations have raised to defend their practices. 1 NGA, with its subsidiary NYSEARCH, continues seeking technological advances in natural gas efficiency and safety.

History

The Northeast Gas Association is a regional trade association for natural gas in the Northeast U.S. 2 The Northeast Gas Association focuses on training, technology research and development, planning, operations, and outreach and development of natural gas. 3

NGA was established in 2003 from two predecessors, the New England Gas Association (founded in 1926) and the New York Gas Group (founded in 1973). 4 Northeast Gas Association members provide natural gas to over 13 million people in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. 5

Programs

The Northeast Gas Association represents natural gas distribution companies, transmission companies, liquified natural gas importers, and associated companies. 6 NGA maintains five standing committees for members including operations, mutual aid, sales and marketing, planning, and natural gas vehicles. 7

The Northeast Gas Association provides training and qualifications to meet government rules and mandates in the natural gas industry. 8 Training programs offered through NGA include operator qualification, pipe joining qualification, safety and emergency response training programs with the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, welding qualifications, operations training, leadership and professional development training, and pipeline safety regulation workshops. 9

The Northeast Gas Association has a voluntary sub-organization, NYSEARCH, that provides research and development to NGA members and other natural gas provides across the United States. 10 NYSEARCH was formed in the 1990s by the New York Gas Group and became part of NGA upon the merger of the organizations. 11 NYSEARCH conducts research and monitors operations to lower costs and increase safety in the areas of pipeline technology and remote access; pipe location and damage control; leak detection; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; gas quality; improved installation, maintenance, and repair; advanced piping and joining; and evaluation of new materials and technologies from other industries to help natural gas services. 12

The Northeast Gas Association hosts events and workshops on products and services, contractor events to meet with companies, and twice-yearly operations conferences on technology and safety. 13 NGA produces reports on technology, research, and developments including natural gas efficiency, natural gas vehicles, off-system portable delivery, and gas and power generation. 14 The Northeast Gas Association has produced a report and is working regionally to produce “bio gas” made from waste from landfills, wastewater treatment plants, dairy farms, discarded food, or wood residues. 15 The Northeast Gas Association also provides information on job openings, market trends and indicators, service area maps, gas safety awareness, regulatory filings, and trending issues. 16

NGO Opposition to Natural Gas

The Northeast Gas Association holds that natural gas power produces lower carbon dioxide emissions per kilowatt hour than other form of fossil fuels. 17 NGA also cites an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finding that natural gas powered vehicles produce less carbon dioxide emissions than oil and almost half of coal-powered energy-sourced fuel vehicles. 18

Author Robert Bryce found that non-governmental organization (NGO) groups were funding environmental groups and anti-hydrocarbon and anti-nuclear groups by more than a 4 to 1 margin. 19 Among the environmental anti-natural gas NGOs, $4.5 billion was raised to oppose the use of natural gas, oppose nuclear energy, halt construction of new hydrocarbon infrastructure, raise global warming concerns, and promote select renewable energy. 20

Funding

In 2019, the Northeast Gas Association had net assets of $7,985,701. 21 According to the organization’s tax returns, in 2019 NGA recorded $18,443,447 in revenue and $18,134,335 in expenses. 22 In 2018, Northeast Gas Association had $13,655,824 in revenue and $13,070,180 in expenses. 23

Leadership

Jose M. Costa has been with the Northeast Gas Association since 2000. 24 Costa became president and CEO in November 2022 and previously was the vice president of operations services. 25 From 1998 until 2000, Costa was regional account manager at Gas Technology Institute. 26 Prior, Costa worked at the Colonial Gas Company as program manager and sales manager. 27 Costa has a MBA from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst. 28

References

  1. Bryce, Robert. “The Anti-Industry Industry.” Substack. February 18, 2023. Accessed March 20, 2023. https://robertbryce.substack.com/p/the-anti-industry-industry.
  2. “About NGA.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/about_intro.php.
  3. “About NGA.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/about_intro.php.
  4. “About NGA.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/about_intro.php.
  5. “About NGA.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/about_intro.php.
  6. “About NGA.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/about_intro.php.
  7. “Committees.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/committees.php.
  8. “Training and Qualification.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/training_qual.php.
  9.  “Training and Qualification.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/training_qual.php.
  10. “About NYSEARCH.” NYSEARCH. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.nysearch.org/about.php.
  11. “MYSEARCH Membership.” NYSEARCH. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.nysearch.org/about.php.
  12. “Program Areas.” NYSEARCH. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.nysearch.org/programs_overview.php.
  13. “Events.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/events.php.
  14. “R&D/Technology.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/rd_technology.php.
  15. “Renewable Gas/Bio Gas.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/renewable_natural_gas.php.
  16. “Industry Info.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/industry_info.php.
  17. “Natural Gas & The Environment.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 20, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/nat_gas_environment.php.
  18.  “Natural Gas & The Environment.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 20, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/nat_gas_environment.php.
  19. Bryce, Robert. “The Anti-Industry Industry.” Substack. February 18, 2023. Accessed March 20, 2023. https://robertbryce.substack.com/p/the-anti-industry-industry.
  20. Bryce, Robert. “The Anti-Industry Industry.” Substack. February 18, 2023. Accessed March 20, 2023. https://robertbryce.substack.com/p/the-anti-industry-industry.
  21. Northeast Gas Association, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2019.
  22. Northeast Gas Association, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2019.
  23. Northeast Gas Association, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2018.
  24. “Jose Costa.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-costa-95376913/.
  25. [1] “Personnel.” Northeast Gas Association. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.northeastgas.org/abt-personnel.php; “Jose Costa.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-costa-95376913/.
  26. [1] “Jose Costa.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-costa-95376913/
  27. “Jose Costa.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-costa-95376913/.
  28. “Jose Costa.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 18, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-costa-95376913/.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: December 1, 1939

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2020 Dec Form 990 $16,604,712 $17,179,008 $13,781,609 $6,485,479 N $2,887,150 $13,541,569 $82,716 $489,536
    2019 Dec Form 990 $18,443,447 $18,134,335 $14,183,913 $6,198,212 N $2,589,775 $15,651,053 $143,257 $467,237 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $13,655,824 $13,070,180 $15,257,408 $7,861,403 N $2,555,830 $10,951,152 $107,780 $433,683 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $15,803,624 $15,214,933 $13,364,000 $6,054,076 N $2,497,000 $13,220,000 $72,110 $436,955
    2016 Dec Form 990 $12,509,956 $11,407,415 $12,598,596 $6,453,281 N $2,342,686 $10,083,648 $68,997 $390,793 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $12,321,839 $10,555,984 $12,186,188 $7,311,835 N $2,320,626 $9,926,824 $40,945 $390,793 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $10,584,887 $9,675,914 $11,963,958 $8,937,340 N $2,113,612 $7,685,887 $41,473 $363,920 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $9,778,882 $9,340,942 $9,857,476 $7,331,252 N $2,068,254 $7,085,670 $37,623 $349,111 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $11,590,973 $10,589,990 $9,297,972 $7,654,085 N $1,986,366 $8,014,111 $40,122 $331,389 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $8,707,966 $8,558,414 $8,154,600 $6,391,523 N $2,092,187 $5,920,338 $42,425 $319,501 PDF
    2010 Dec Form 990 $8,877,818 $8,361,153 $7,805,268 $6,100,614 N $2,040,149 $5,956,776 $60,980 $318,687 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Northeast Gas Association (NGA)

    75 Second Avenue, Number 510
    Needham, MA