South Jersey Gas has filed a petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities for approval to continue its Accelerated Infrastructure Replacement Program (AIRP). The petition also includes a proposed adjustment to base rates that will allow the utility to recover AIRP investments made through September 2016.
“Beginning with our first program in 2009, SJG has worked under the guidance of the NJBPU to reinforce the safety and reliability of our system through the accelerated replacement of bare steel and cast iron main,” said Jeffrey E. DuBois, president of South Jersey Gas. “As a result of this proactive approach, we’ve already been able to replace 500 miles of main and over 23,600 services; and we look forward to continuing that progress with an extension of the AIRP that will allow us to further enhance the safety and reliability of our system.”
Pending approval of this filing, SJG would continue its accelerated infrastructure replacement for an additional seven years, investing roughly $500 million to improve its distribution system. These improvements would include the retirement and replacement of bare steel and cast iron mains, bare steel services, and other aging infrastructure, with more durable plastic pipe. This will also enable SJG to install Excess Flow Valves (EFVs) in all service lines renewed under AIRP, a safety enhancement that automatically shuts off the flow of gas in the event of damage.