PUC Seeks to Accelerate Identification, Removal, and Replacement of Older Plastic Pipe in Natural Gas Distribution Systems

from Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

Photo courtesy of Doris Morgan on Unsplash

On Thursday, Aug. 1, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) moved to accelerate the process of identifying, removing, and replacing older plastic piping and components in Pennsylvania’s natural gas distribution systems.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve a motion by Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank, which is patterned after the state’s successful ongoing efforts to eliminate other at-risk materials from natural gas utility systems.

In his motion Thursday, Chairman DeFrank noted the substantial progress that has been made across Pennsylvania in removing at-risk gas pipe materials – especially older cast iron and unprotected steel. Those efforts have accelerated 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. This latest PUC initiative seeks to use the DSIC and other tools to address new concerns about older 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.”

Key Plastic Pipe Issues

The PUC’s plastic pipe replacement initiative includes three key components related to older plastic materials – installed between the 1960s and 1980s – which are susceptible to brittle-like cracking:

Information Gathering – The PUC conducted a recent survey regarding at-risk plastic pipes, but not every natural gas utility replied to that data request. Thursday’s motion requires PUC staff to reissue that data request and directs all non-responsive utilities to provide the requested information within 30 days.

Adding At-Risk Plastic Pipe to Existing Replacement Plans – Older plastic pipe is not currently targeted for replacement by every natural gas utility eligible to use a DSIC, but Thursday’s motion would allow amendments to those plans to accelerate the replacement of at-risk plastic materials.

New Pipeline Replacement Plans for Smaller Utilities – Smaller natural gas utilities would be required to file a Pipeline Replacement Plan for Commission review and approval, requiring replacement of at-risk pipe (including plastic, cast iron and unprotected steel) based on the risks identified in their integrity management plans.

Public Comment

Based on Thursday’s motion, the Commission will issue a Tentative Order, which will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Interested parties will have 30 days from the publication date to submit comments and 45 days to offer any reply comments.

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Source: bctv