PSE&G receives approval of programme to replace its ageing gas infrastructure

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) has announced the approval of a three-year, US$905 million programme to expedite the replacement of ageing gas pipes. Approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the programme will enable PSE&G to accelerate the modernisation of its cast iron and unprotected steel gas infrastructure. This will include the replacement of up to 510 miles of gas mains and 38 000 service lines over the three-year period.

"Accelerated replacement of our ageing gas pipes ensures we can support a safe, clean and reliable gas system well into the future. Since 2009, our residential customers' gas heating bills are down 47% because of the lower cost of natural gas supply. The timing is right to accelerate this work -- while gas prices remain low," said Ralph LaRossa, PSE&G President and COO.

The work will take place across PSE&G's service territory in 11 counties, and will focus on urban areas established in the early 1900s, where much of the utility's cast iron and unprotected steel gas pipes are located. PSE&G is working with municipalities to determine when replacements will be done. Engineering and planning of the construction is under way, with work expected to begin in the spring. The mains and service lines will be replaced with strong, durable plastic piping, which is much less likely to have leaks and release methane gas. The new elevated pressure systems also enable the installation of excess flow valves that automatically shut off gas flow if a service line is damaged, and provide better support for the use of high-efficiency appliances.

Work will be prioritised based on the condition and location of the gas mains. Additionally, methane emissions from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) will be used in prioritising this work.

EDF partnered with Google and Colorado State University on a programme to detect, map, and quantify methane emissions from natural gas distribution systems quickly and cost-effectively, using new mapping and analytical methods. The organisation spent six months surveying portions of PSE&G's service territory being targeted for replacement under the utility's Gas System Modernisation Programme.

"Methane is the main ingredient in natural gas, and a highly potent greenhouse gas. PSE&G is the first gas utility to provide extensive information to EDF on its existing gas system and on its method of targeting mains for replacement," said Jonathan Peress, EDF Air Policy Director for Natural Gas. "The utility's willingness and commitment to actively participate in our survey program enabled us to focus our work so that PSE&G is able to use methane emissions data for its gas infrastructure upgrades."

"In addition to ensuring the continued safety and reliability of our gas system, the Gas System Modernisation Programme will create 500 direct, sustained jobs during the three-year program," added LaRossa. "Maintaining the integrity of New Jersey's infrastructure supports the vitality of our economy."

There will be no rate increase at the onset of the programme. In 2017, the typical residential gas heating customer who uses 1010 therms annually is expected to see an increase of about US$0.50 on their average monthly bill. At the end of the Gas System Modernisation Programme, the same residential customer is projected to see a total cumulative increase of US$4.80 on their average monthly bill, or an increase of approximately 1.5% annually over four years.

The Gas System Modernisation Programme is a next step in a series of such programmes, including PSE&G's Energy Strong work that is focused on building the resiliency into its systems required to withstand the kind of severe weather that has devastated our state over the past five years. Approved last year, the US$1.22 billion Energy Strong program includes raising, relocating and protecting electrical switching and substations, and replacing 250 miles of low-pressure cast iron gas mains in or near flood areas.

"Accelerating the replacement of our ageing pipes is good for our customers, economy and environment," said LaRossa. "With natural gas prices at historic lows, we can do it now without causing undue hardship on customers."

Edited from press release by Angharad Lock

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/17112015/pse-g-receives-approval-to-replace-its-aging-gas-infrastructure-1632/