Utilities

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.

Austrian Utility OMV Sells Gas Pipeline Unit to Rival Verbund

Austrian utility OMV said on Wednesday it will sell a majority stake in its gas pipeline subsidiary to rival Verbund, a deal that will help OMV reduce debt and finance its acquisition of a leading plastics maker.

Dominion Overhauls Leadership, Announces New CEO

Dominion Energy on Friday announced a reorganized executive leadership team, including a new CEO, as it reported a $2.8 billion second-quarter charge related to the cancellation of the Atlantic Coast natural gas pipeline.

Report: LDCs Own Residential, Commercial Sectors but Pipelines Fuel Power

A new government report on the U.S. natural gas industry shows that local distribution companies supply 90% of natural gas to U.S. residential and commercial sectors, but pipeline companies handle the biggest volumes through direct delivery to electric power and industrial customers.

U.S. Natgas Demand Up as Total Energy Use Hits 30-Year Low

U.S. natural gas consumption defied trends through the pandemic days of April 2020 with a year-over-year increase during a month in which total energy demand fell to a 30-year low.

Natural Gas Efficiency Programs Pay Off in Reduced Costs, Carbon Emissions

North American natural gas utilities have been spending nearly $4 million a day for programs to make customers more efficient use of the fuel. A new study shows those investments are paying off.

Building a Gas Utility for Future Prosperity

Nicor Gas, the largest natural gas distribution company in Illinois with 2.2 million customers, is one provider that has embraced new opportunities by launching a robust meter modernization program.

Options for Low-Pressure System Now Requiring Overpressure Protection

Events over the last several years have proven the inherent risks that can be present in older low-pressure gas distribution systems. As a result, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has investigated the problems and made several recommendations.

NiSource to Pay $56 Million to Resolve Gas Blasts Probe

NiSource Inc will pay $56 million to resolve a probe into Massachusetts gas explosions in 2018 linked to a utility it owns that killed one person and destroyed multiple buildings, the state's attorney general said.

Poland's Gaz-System Reaches $306 Million Pipeline Deal with Saipem

Polish gas grid operator Gaz-System said on Monday it signed a 280 million euro ($306 million) contract with Italian oil services group Saipem to build a section of the Baltic Pipe between Denmark and Poland.

Tokyo Gas Maintains LNG Imports, Infrastructure Projects Despite Profit Plunge

Japan's biggest supplier of city gas said net profit fell by nearly half in the fiscal year ended March 31, but it has no plans to cut LNG imports or change its overseas investment plan.

AGA Chair Diane Leopold Brings Positive Outlook to Challenging Period for Industry

Diane Leopold became chair of the American Gas Association just in time for an unprecedented economic shutdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The executive vice president and co-chief operating officer of Dominion Energy, talked to P&GJ about the challenges and opportunities facing the natural gas industry.

Ameren Illinois Continues to Modernize With $8.5 Million Gas System Projects

Ameren Illinois announced additional updates to its natural gas system with $8.5 million in replacement projects scheduled for completion by late October in Springfield and San Jose.

Peru Gas Workers Unearth Centuries of History in Lima's Soil

For nearly two decades, workers for a company building gas lines across Peru’s capital have found themselves unearthing a treasure trove of history.

Germany Needs More Gas Power Plants: Utility, Lobby

Germany must support the construction of gas-powered generation to avoid an electricity supply crunch as it pulls out of nuclear and coal and electric vehicles increase demand, utility Uniper and gas lobby Zukunft Erdgas said on Tuesday.

Ameren Illinois Plans $64 Million Pipeline Upgrades

Ameren Illinois said it will replace 12 miles of aging natural gas pipeline in two Illinois locations for a combined cost of $64 million as part of its planned system upgrades around the state.

DNV GL Publishes New HDD Standard for Pipelines

Oslo-based technical advisor DNV GL said it has published a new standard that reduces risk and improves quality of site investigation, engineering, planning and installation of pipelines using horizontal directional drilling (HDD).

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.

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.

Gas System Modernization Earns Project of the Year Honors

PSE&G’s Gas System Modernization Program (GSMP) was named Project of the Year by the Project Management Institute-New Jersey Chapter.

A Decade into DIMP, Pipe Replacement Still Keeps Workforce Busy

Ten years after it went into effect, the U.S. Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP) continued to drive much of the nation's pipeline replacement activity.

FERC Rules Clean Energy Sources Must Pay Higher Market Price

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday directed the largest U.S. power grid operator to force state-subsidized solar and wind electricity providers to raise prices, a move that opponents called a partisan attempt to protect fossil fuels.

New England Power and Gas Prices Spike During Cold Snap

Natural gas and power prices in New England spiked to their highest since last winter as a cold snap froze the six-state region. Next-day gas prices for Thursday jumped almost 25% to $14.50 per mmBtu, their highest since January, for a second day in a row.

Innovation Drives World Record Natural Gas Main Renewal

Drivers along the stretch of Central Avenue crossing the Garden State Parkway by the East Orange General Hospital in New Jersey would have noticed the construction crews, excavations, equipment and vehicles in the middle of the street. What he or she would not know is that the project underway was setting a world record.

Electrification: Sorting Out Where Natural Gas Supply Fits In

Electrification is a word that is gaining attention these days from the corporate and regulatory boardrooms to the oilfields where hydraulic fracturing and other innovations have vaulted the United States into the global lead for both oil and natural gas production.

National Grid Addresses NY Challenges as AGA Weighs In

National Grid said it was confident it would be able to address concerns over gas supplies raised this week by governor of New York, while AGA condemned the "punitive measures."

Singapore Committed to Natural Gas Power

Natural gas will continue to play a dominant role in generating electricity in Singapore while the state plans to accelerate the use of renewable energy, primarily solar power, in the next decade to battle climate change, a senior government official said.

Feds Recommend New Requirements After Natural Gas Disaster

Federal officials are recommending stronger nationwide requirements for natural gas systems following last September's natural gas explosions and fires in Massachusetts.

Casualties in Fight over New Gas Pipelines: The Customers

Chris Miles and his partners were ready to open their new seaside barbecue joint when they got stunning news: There would be no gas to fuel the fryers, griddles and stoves. Utility National Grid halted new gas hookups after the state rejected a new pipeline.

Virginia Regulators Say Dominion Profits Too High

Virginia's largest electric utility earned $277 million more in profits last year than what regulators say is reasonable and its customers could see huge bill increases in coming years, state regulators said in a new report.