Rhode Island PUC Approves National Grid's $53.4 Million Natural Gas Infrastructure Improvement Plan

WALTHAM, MA (03/21/2011)(readMedia)-- National Grid is once again planning major improvements to the Rhode Island natural gas distribution system. The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission has approved this year's gas Infrastructure Safety and Reliability (ISR) Plan, which was developed by National Grid in consultation with the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers and continues National Grid's multi-year effort to upgrade the state's aging natural gas infrastructure.

"National Grid remains committed to maintaining the safest and most reliable natural gas distribution system possible for our customers and the public," said William J. Akley, Senior Vice President, Construction and Maintenance. "We believe that the Commission's approval of the plan will allow the company to continue to make major strides to do that."

SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

The ISR includes the replacement of 45 miles of natural gas mains and more than 2,100 individual service connections. These two programs account for approximately $29.6 million of the $53.4 million cost of the entire improvement plan. Other items in the plan include $11.8 million for gas system reliability. This will include the following:

  • Improvements in system automation and gas control, which will modernize the recording of system information and increase automation and control to reduce the chance for human error
  • Improvements at many of its 205 pressure regulating facilities to better maintain consistent pressures throughout the system
  • Upgrades to portions of the system where the floods of 2010 showed water intrusion to be a factor in disrupting service. The program will target specific low-lying locations in Westerly and Cranston.
  • Replacement of approximately 4,400 gas meters

Funds have also been designated for public works projects and emergency repairs.

The 45-mile main replacement target equals last year's total. In 2009 the company replaced 25 miles of main. National Grid purchased the Rhode Island natural gas distribution system from New England Gas Company in August of 2006.

Preliminary construction plans indicate that main and customer service replacement will be conducted in eighteen of the 33 Rhode Island communities to which National Grid provides natural gas. The company will work with those municipalities to mitigate disruption of traffic and will notify property owners when work will be conducted.

The ISR charge will increase natural gas distribution rates annually by about four-tenths of one percent beginning April 1. For the typical Rhode Island residential natural gas customer who heats with gas and uses 922 therms of natural gas during a twelve-month period, this will increase their average monthly bill to approximately $112.85 or by about 53 cents.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

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