In 2016, we partnered with the Environmental Defense Fund, Carnegie Mellon University, and Google on a pilot project to measure methane emissions along our pipelines in Pittsburgh neighborhoods. Over the past two years, we’ve collected and analyzed data from our pilot program. Using this data as a baseline, last week we announced our commitment to reduce methane emissions from our pipelines by 50%.
Methane, the main component in natural gas, is a powerful greenhouse gas. As part of our environmental commitment, we want to be transparent about leaks along our pipelines—and we want to do our part to reduce those emissions as quickly and efficiently as possible. To do this, we recruited the help of Colorado State University and the Environmental Defense Fund.
The majority of methane detection systems can only detect methane in parts per million. The team at Colorado State University uses a new methane detection technology that can measure methane in parts per billion. Only a handful of utilities in the country are using this technology, which was installed in a Peoples vehicle. This vehicle will drive approximately 950 miles across our pipelines in Pittsburgh to identify leaks, quantify methane emissions, and help us to prioritize our pipeline upgrade projects.
According to our experts, by isolating the worst 20% of leaks and replacing those pipelines, we can achieve our 50% methane reduction goal. We’re focusing our pipeline replacement efforts in the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, where we have the heaviest concentration of bare metal pipes. This innovative methane monitoring system will enable us to more confidently pinpoint the most significant methane emissions and more effectively replace those pipelines with safe, durable plastic pipes.
We’ve already made some tremendous headway. In 2018 alone, we installed almost 200 miles of pipeline across our service territory. With each pipeline replacement project, we’re reducing emissions, improving local roads and infrastructure, and keeping our communities safe. These efforts also work to support Pittsburgh’s Climate Action Plan by helping to significantly reduce greenhouse gasses.
In a combined press conference on January 8th, 2019, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf commended Peoples’ steps to reduce methane.
“I’d like to thank the Environmental Defense Fund, Peoples Gas and Morgan [O’Brien] for their leadership attacking this challenge,” Governor Wolf said, “and demonstrating that protecting our environment and growing our economy are not conflicting goals. Doing one actually makes the other possible.”
From that same event, Governor Wolf signed an executive order that Pennsylvania will work to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions 26% by 2025 and 80% by 2050. He noted that the partnership between Peoples and the Environmental Defense Fund exemplifies how industries, environmental agencies, and government can constructively collaborate to address issues.
“This project shows that when stakeholders from the environmental community come together with companies and work collaboratively,” Governor Wolf said, “we can actually find solutions to pressing problems that make sense for everyone.”
Over the next 20 years, Peoples will be investing $3 billion in pipeline replacement to ensure that our pipelines are safe for you and safe for the environment. Our implementation of this innovative methane detection technology will help us to take ownership of infrastructure issues so that we can responsibly prioritize leaks and dramatically reduce emissions. We hope that other utilities across the country will do the same, so we can all work together to protect our environment for generations to come.
