Aug 3, 2024
Harrisburg, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has voted 5-0 to accelerate the process of identifying and replacing old plastic piping and other components of Pennsylvania's natural gas distribution systems.
The motion was proposed by Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank and is modeled after other efforts to remove at-risk materials from natural gas utility systems. Specifically, Chairman DeFrank mentioned the substantial progress across the Commonwealth in removing old cast iron and unprotected steel components.
Component replacements sped up as natural gas companies were authorized to use a Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) to fund quicker replacement, reducing the amount of at-risk piping to a fraction of what it was a decade ago. The plastic component replacement initiative seeks to use the DSIC and other tools to address new concerns about old plastic materials.
“Significant progress has been made in the removal of cast iron and bare steel pipe in Pennsylvania’s natural gas distribution systems. In fact, 81% of cast iron pipe has been removed from non-municipally owned systems,” stated Chairman DeFrank. “While I understand that cast iron and bare steel have not been fully eliminated, it is important to simultaneously focus on the replacement of older plastic pipe.”
Old plastic material is classified as piping and other components installed between the 1960s and 1980s and is at risk of becoming brittle and cracking.
The Chairman's motion has three main components:
Information gathering: The PUC recently conducted a survey about at-risk plastic pipes, but not all natural gas utilities provided data. The motion requires that PUC staff repeat the request, and all utilities that did not respond before must provide the requested information within 30 days.
Adding at-risk plastic piping to existing replacement plans: Old plastic pipe is not being targeted for replacement by all natural gas utilities eligible to use a DSIC. The new PUC motion will allow amendments to include the replacement of at-risk plastics.
New pipeline replacement plans for smaller utilities: Smaller natural gas utilities will be required to file a Pipeline Replacement Plan for PUC review and approval. The plan will require the replacement of at-risk pipes, including plastic, cast iron, and unprotected steel based on risks identified in their integrity management plans.
Public comments will open for this tentative order.
The tentative order will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Interested parties will have 30 days from the publication date to submit their comments, and 45 days to offer reply comments.
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