Peoples Natural Gas Leads in Infrastructure Investment for Safer, More Reliable Services
Infrastructure modernization efforts from Pennsylvania’s largest gas utility reduce emissions while improving customer service
PITTSBURGH (May 13, 2024) – As the country celebrates Infrastructure Week, Peoples Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG), reaffirms its commitment to enhancing natural gas infrastructure, ensuring safety and reliability for customers and sustainable operations.
Since becoming part of Essential Utilities in 2020, Peoples has invested over $1.7 billion in infrastructure upgrades, including replacing nearly 1,200 miles of natural gas mains. These investments have led to significant benefits:
- Reduced customer outages by 45 percent
- Reduced outstanding gas leaks more than 80 percent
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent
In 2023 alone, the company invested over $527 million in projects that would enhance both safety and reliability. Current projects include:
- Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP): A multi-year initiative to replace more than 3,000 miles of critical pipelines, with $1.5 billion allocated between 2021 and 2025. Peoples’ LTIIP is the leading mile replacement program in Pennsylvania.
- Goodwin/Tombaugh System Modernization: Replacing 300+ miles of pipeline over seven years, ensuring safe gas delivery, with 51 percent already updated.
- Innovative Leak Management: Adopting a proactive 'find-and-fix' approach reduced leak backlog by 83 percent, improving safety and reducing environmental impact through decreased methane emissions.
“Investing in infrastructure keeps our natural gas deliveries safe and reliable,” said Mike Huwar, president of Peoples Natural Gas. “Infrastructure Week is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment, but our dedication is year-round. Modern infrastructure sustains and powers communities, and we’re proud to be a leader in advancing it across our service area.”
In 2024, Peoples plans to install 186 new miles of pipeline infrastructure as part of its LTIIP, with 75 miles constructed as of May 6. The company has also installed 10 miles of Goodwin/Tombaugh pipelines this year, and 11 miles of pipes providing natural gas to new business and residential customers within its 18-county service territory. Modernizing regional infrastructure also positions Peoples to deliver low-carbon fuels in the future, in addition to natural gas. Incorporating hydrogen into the region’s energy supply would further reduce emissions while continuing to provide safe, reliable service to 700,000+ customers in Western Pennsylvania.