Gas Distribution
Baton Rouge company set to acquire Entergy gas distribution business
Utility giant Entergy’s plans to sell its gas distribution business are moving forward under a $484 million cash deal with Bernhard Capital Partners, a Baton Rouge-based private equity management firm.
Indiana utility requests rate raise to fund natural gas infrastructure modernizations
The request is largely driven by federal safety and compliance regulations, system upgrades to support economic development and job creation, and infrastructure modernization and improvements that directly benefit customers and communities.
Chesapeake Utilities expands natural gas business with $923 million Florida City Gas acquisition
With the addition of FCG, Chesapeake Utilities' overall natural gas distribution presence in Florida will include an approved regulated rate base of $941 million, serving more than 211,000 customers through nearly 7,000 miles of natural gas distribution company pipeline.
Federal regulators propose rule changes after 2018 gas distribution pipeline blasts in Massachusetts
These proposed changes are designed to improve safety and ease risk through the improvement of emergency response plans, integrity management plans, operation manuals and other steps, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Duke Energy methane emissions monitoring platform to receive federal funding
The company's current methane-monitoring platform – which has reduced recordable leaks by more than 85% since the beginning of 2022 – uses satellites, sensors and other cutting-edge technologies to detect leaks and measure real-time methane emissions on underground natural gas distribution systems.
AGA Chair sees future shaped by education, innovation
(UI) — Sitherwood, who plans to retire from Spire this December, sat down with Underground Infrastructure to discuss her career, her outlook for the natural gas industry and her work as the 2023 chair of the American Gas Association (AGA).
Officials approve $990,000 settlement with utility for 2019 gas main explosion
Canonsburg-based Columbia Gas took responsibility for the July 2019 blast in North Franklin Township, saying it had failed to install a key piece of equipment in the home while workers nearby upgraded a gas main.
Kalamazoo neighborhood evacuated after underground gas line fire
Authorities evacuated several homes in a Kalamazoo neighborhood Thursday evening after a ruptured gas line caught fire.
Utility Sued for $50 Million Over Fatal House Explosion
A $50 million lawsuit was filed against a utility company over an explosion that killed two people and damaged several homes in Flint, Michigan.
Pennsylvania’s Gas-Well Revenue Down as Price, Drilling Drop
Gas well revenue in Pennsylvania is at its lowest after prices sank during the pandemic.
$56M Settlement Approved in Massachusetts Gas Explosions
A $56 million settlement has been approved in the case regarding a series of natural gas explosions and fires in Massachusetts in 2018.
Illinois Regulators Approve Report on Condition of Chicago Gas Distribution Network
Regulators in Illinois have agreed with the conclusion of a report that found a natural gas distribution network replacement program in Chicago from Peoples Gas will increase public and customer safety.
Investigation into Baltimore Explosion Finds Gas Utility Equipment Not to Blame
An investigation by Baltimore Gas and Electric into a recent fatal gas explosion in the city discovered that the company's pipes and equipment were not responsible for the blast.
Gas Explosion Levels 3 Baltimore Homes, at Least 2 Dead
A natural gas explosion in a Baltimore neighborhood on Monday killed one woman and university student. Firefighters reported at least two people were hospitalized with serious injuries.
North Carolina Utilities Told to Stop Disconnections Through August
Regulators in North Carolina have instructed the state's large, for-profit utility companies to continue delaying disconnections through the month of August.
Utility & Communications Construction Update
The spread of the coronavirus has upended almost every staple of U.S. life, and businesses have no sense of what the next two weeks, much less the next two months, could look like. With these themes as the backdrop, there are some takeaways we can share for planning the next six months, as we consider both oil and the spread of the coronavirus.
Underground Construction and Related Industries Respond to Coronavirus
While much of North America hunkers down to wait out the coronavirus pandemic, essential workers at companies throughout the underground construction industry are continuing to deliver vital services to customers.
Italy's Snam Takes Steps to Guarantee Gas Flows During Coronavirus Outbreak
Italian gas grid operator Snam has put in place emergency measures to ensure it can keep gas flowing during the coronavirus outbreak.
Eversource to Acquire Columbia Gas of Massachusetts Assets for $1.1 Billion
Eversource Energy announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase the Massachusetts natural gas assets of Columbia Gas for $1.1 billion from NiSource.
Utility to Pay $53M for Fatal Gas Line Explosion
A utility company will pay the largest criminal fine ever imposed for breaking a federal pipeline safety law — $53 million — and plead guilty to causing a series of natural gas explosions in Massachusetts that killed one person and damaged dozens of homes, federal officials said Wednesday.
New Record for Gas Main Relining
With rehabilitation of a 620-foot-long segment of 42-inch-diameter gas main last summer, New Jersey contractor Progressive Pipeline Management (PPM) broke its own world record for the largest size natural gas pipe to be rehabilitated with Starline cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liner.
Texas Railroad Commission Adopts New Pipeline Safety Rules
The Railroad Commission (RRC) of Texas has adopted new natural gas pipeline safety rules regarding the type of natural gas distribution pipelines that are allowed to be installed.
CenterPoint Energy to Sell Miller Pipeline and Minnesota Limited to PowerTeam Services
CenterPoint Energy has announced an agreement to sell Miller Pipeline and Minnesota Limited to PowerTeam Services for $850 million in cash, subject to customary price adjustments.
Ohio Power Siting Board Approves Natural Gas Pipeline Route
The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) has approved a route for Duke Energy’s Central Corridor natural gas pipeline following a review of the company’s application and hearings on the 14-mile project.
U.S. Department of Energy Awards $25 Million to Improve Natural Gas Operations
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 16 projects to receive nearly $25 million in federal funding for cost-shared projects to advance natural gas infrastructure technology development.
FERC Approves Chesapeake Utilities Pipeline Expansion
Chesapeake Utilities has announced that FERC has issued an order approving the Company's proposed Del-Mar Energy pipeline project.
Jesse Jackson Joins Push for Natural Gas Pipeline to Illinois Town
Not all pipeline activists are fighting against more construction. Rev. Jesse Jackson has joined local leaders in calling for extension of natural gas service to a low-income township south of Chicago.
Fed Recommendations Based on 2018 Massachusetts Blasts
Federal officials are recommending stronger nationwide requirements for natural gas systems following last September's natural gas explosions and fires in Massachusetts.
New York Governor Threatens to Revoke National Grid License
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has given gas utility company National Grid 14 days to supply gas to over 1,100 customers or he will revoke the company’s license to operate.
Report Blames R.I. Winter Gas Outage on Low Pipe Pressure
Rhode Island public utilities regulators say a natural gas outage that affected more than 7,000 customers last winter was caused by low pressure in a pipeline.

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