The $7.5 million PHMSA-supported construction replaces the final 5 miles of cast-iron main within the 4,000-mile Citizens natural gas distribution mains network.
INDIANAPOLIS – On September 1, Citizens Energy Group ("Citizens"), alongside federal, state and community leaders, celebrated the completion of a multi-year project to replace the final five miles of cast-iron natural gas main within the approximately 4,000-mile Citizens natural gas distribution system. The $7.5 million project was funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) grant program, administered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Pictures of the celebration are included at the bottom of this release.
Construction activities occurred over the past two years at multiple locations on Indianapolis' east side, including corridors serving the Martindale-Brightwood, Avondale Meadows and Far Eastside communities. The work replaced legacy cast-iron infrastructure with contemporary polyethylene natural gas pipe designed to provide safe, reliable and efficient service for generations to come. The improvements ensure that the Citizens natural gas system remains among the safest and most reliable urban gas networks in the nation while supporting continued economic growth and community development.
Tuesday’s celebration near Shadeland Avenue featured remarks from Citizens President & CEO Jeffrey Harrison; PHMSA Administrator Paul Roberti; and Dave Schryver, President of the American Public Gas Association. Attendees included representatives from the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission; the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood; and from the offices of Congressman André Carson and U.S. Senators Todd Young and Jim Banks.
"With the completion of this project, Citizens will have replaced the final remaining cast-iron natural gas mains in our entire system," said Jeffrey Harrison, President & CEO of Citizens Energy Group. "This is testament to our team pursuing every available opportunity to bring outside investment back to Indianapolis. We are grateful to PHMSA and our many partners for helping us deliver lasting benefits to the customers and communities we serve."
Citizens secured the competitive federal grant through PHMSA's NGDISM program, a nationwide initiative established to improve public safety and modernize community-owned natural gas systems. Citizens was among a limited number of utilities nationwide selected to receive funding through the program.
During Tuesday's event, PHMSA Administrator Paul Roberti highlighted the long-term value of replacing aging infrastructure with modern materials:
"Every mile of cast-iron pipe pulled out of the ground is a direct investment in community safety," said Roberti. "By completely eliminating this outdated infrastructure, Citizens is delivering a much safer, more resilient natural gas system to the people of Indiana."
The average Citizens Energy Group residential natural gas bill is consistently among the lowest of Indiana’s 19 regulated natural gas utilities, having not seen a rate increase since 2010. The natural gas main replacement project represents one of many ongoing investments Citizens is making to strengthen critical utility infrastructure across its service territory and preserve reliable service for future generations.
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Photos:
Image 1, from left to right: Dave Schryver, President – American Public Gas Association; Jeffrey Harrison, President & CEO – Citizens Energy Group; Ben Warren, Director Gas Transmission & Distribution, Citizens Energy Group; Paul Roberti, Administrator – Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; J.P. Ghio, Vice President Energy Operations – Citizens Energy Group.
Image 2: At left – New polyethylene natural gas pipe, to be installed. At right – Legacy cast-iron pipe removed from underground for replacement.
About Citizens Energy Group
Citizens Energy Group provides safe and reliable utility services to about 900,000 people in the Indianapolis area. Citizens operates its utilities for the benefit of customers and the community.
Media Contact Information
Ben Easley
Phone: 317-519-1515
Email: media@citizensenergygroup.com