MARCH 2, 2015
NEWARK, N.J., /PRNEWSWIRE/
It was about time that they move their union butt and replace the aging and well-past-their-useful-life cast iron pipes and the unprotected steel pipes. These people were playing Russian roulette with people's lives, their worker's lives and people's properties. Unfortunately, it took innocent lives and injuries and millions in damages to announce this overdue replacement of aging pipes.
Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G),
New Jersey's largest utility, announced a proposal to invest $1.6 billion over
the next 5 years to proactively modernize its gas systems – supporting a safe,
clean, reliable gas system well into the future. The utility requested
the funding, about $320 million per year, in a filing with the New Jersey Board
of Public Utilities.
PSE&G's Gas System Modernization Program would include
replacing an average of approximately 160 miles of cast iron and unprotected
steel gas mains, and about 11,000 unprotected steel service lines to homes and
businesses per year, over five years.
The mains and service lines would 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 better support the use of high-efficiency appliances.
"While our cast iron and unprotected steel gas pipes
represent less than 30 percent of our infrastructure, they account for 80
percent of distribution systems leaks each year, excluding third-party
damages," said Ralph LaRossa, PSE&G president and COO. "The Gas
System Modernization Program will provide our customers and the communities we
serve with the environmental benefit of reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and a
positive impact on employment and the New Jersey economy."
Pointing to lower gas bills, LaRossa said it makes sense to
make these added investments now.
Since 2008, residential gas heating bills are down 44
percent because of the lower cost of natural gas supply. "We are in a time
of unprecedented low interest rates and natural gas prices," LaRossa said.
"The timing is right to make these infrastructure investments."
The Gas System Modernization Program would support more than
500 direct jobs to help boost New Jersey's economy. "A number of labor and
business leaders have already expressed support for our proposal," said
LaRossa. "They know that these are important investments for New
Jersey."
The Gas System Modernization Program is a next step in a
series of modernization programs, including PSE&G's ongoing Energy Strong
work that is focused largely 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 $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.
"We operate and maintain more than 17,000 miles of gas
distribution mains that transport natural gas to 1.87 million customers in the
most densely populated parts of our state," LaRossa said. "We've been
providing safe, reliable gas service to customers in New Jersey for more than
100 years, and believe strongly that now is the right time to modernize our
infrastructure."
PSE&G
Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (PEG), a diversified energy company.
Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (PEG), a diversified energy company.
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