Progress continues in critical upgrade of Chicago’s natural gas delivery system


Progress continues in critical upgrade of Chicago’s
natural gas delivery system

Peoples Gas reports first-quarter 2023 construction data to State of Illinois

CHICAGO — The Peoples Gas program to modernize Chicago’s antiquated natural gas delivery system continued its steady progress in the first quarter of 2023. Data from the quarter has been reported to the Illinois Commerce Commission as part of the commission’s extensive oversight of the Safety Modernization Program.

Under the Safety Modernization Program, Peoples Gas is replacing corroding iron pipes — which date back as far as the 1800s — with modern pipeline. The program is on budget, as it has been since 2015 when the current owners of Peoples Gas started managing the
company. And the progress of work in the 30-year program spanning every Chicago neighborhood is on schedule.

Key first-quarter metrics include:
 17 miles of new gas main installed.
 2,000 gas meters moved from inside homes to outside for additional safety.
 Work on the program, overall, is more than 35% complete.

Safety Modernization Program
An independent engineering study ordered by the State of Illinois found more than 80% of the iron natural gas pipes beneath Chicago’s streets have an average remaining life of less than 15 years. Many of the pipes are from the 1800s.

The Safety Modernization Program is a mandatory safety initiative. It also is crucial for the reliable delivery of energy to keep Chicagoans warm, and to replace pipes that harm the environment by leaking methane. Since 2017, modernization work has reduced methane
emissions by more than 1,300 metric tons. The modernization also positions Chicago for a clean energy future in which renewable natural gas and hydrogen may someday heat our homes and fuel the economy.

Peoples Gas plans to modernize the natural gas delivery system in every Chicago neighborhood. In 2023, work is scheduled to occur in ten city neighborhoods.

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