Detours are an inevitable byproduct of a critical project that’s making our gas service safer and more reliable. PSE&G is speeding up the replacement of its aging gas infrastructure. Our crews are in more than 150 towns digging in streets and replacing pipes this year alone.
No doubt, the work is disruptive. But it has to be done, now is the time to do it, and here’s why:
Old pipes – PSE&G has just under 4,000 miles of cast iron pipes, and another 1,000 miles of unprotected steel – the largest inventory of any utility in the U.S. We have so much old piping because PSE&G has been serving customers for 114 years. Some of our pipes are more than a century old.
Methane leaks – Decades of freezing and thawing, and moist soil, cause cast iron to become brittle, and some pipes crack. When they crack, they release methane gas, which — as greenhouse gases go — is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Plastic pipes are better for the environment because they are much less likely to release methane gas.
Low gas prices – Why now? Low natural gas prices. Since 2009, PSE&G’s residential customers’ gas heating bills are down 50 percent. Do this now, and customers won’t feel a big pinch in their pocketbooks.
Jobs – These pipe replacements are creating “work” for people in New Jersey – about 500 jobs during the three-year program. In 2016, we hired 195 new, full-time employees for entry-level jobs, as well as supervisors and project managers. These are good paying, blue-collar jobs with benefits. This benefits the economy in other ways as well – creating jobs for contractors and in manufacturing. In fact, the majority of the plastic pipes we use are manufactured right here in New Jersey.
We are working closely with municipalities and local police to map out the schedules, and working block by block to minimize disruptions. While there’s never a good time to close a road, we will do our best to move through your neighborhood as quickly and safely as possible. And we will be back to permanently repave the portion of the road we disturbed as soon as the ground and temporary pavement have settled.
When you see our crews in the street installing new pipes, please pardon any inconvenience. We’re working hard to make sure that your underground gas system is upgraded and modern to safely and reliably provide you with heat and hot water now and for many, many years to come.
For more information about work going on in your town, and a video demonstrating how the work is done, visit www.pseg.com/gaswork.
Mike Gaffney – Senior Director, Gas Distribution Field Construction-PSE&G
One of the customer pointed out that the last line date on this page of pseg.com/gaswork is incorrect which is ” SPRING OF 2017″
WHILE spring is gone and now approaching to FALL. EITHER THE DATE IS WORNG OR SPRING IS WRONG WHICH NEED TO BE CORRECTED.
THANKS.
PSE&G to upgrade gas facilities in Palmyra
On July 10th PSE&G will be working in Palmyra to replace aging cast iron gas pipes with new, durable plastic and/or coated steel piping – ensuring the continued safety and reliability of our gas system well into the future.
Work will take place Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., with the potential for Saturday work. The gas main replacement and services portion of the work is expected to be complete by November. The paving and street restoration will take place in the spring of 2017.
Check your typos and facts, both mistaken.
Why notd be grateful for the expense & work they’ve committed to – for the good of all of us – you, too!
Does this mean that all this time, despite what it says on the bills, you haven’t been doing maintenance and upgrades? Though to be fair, you’re not the only ones – most of the Northeast has been coasting on investment from 100 to 120 years ago, from subways to rail tunnels to water infrastructure.
We received a specific date of July 17. No one turned up. No one turned up the next day. No one turned up yesterday. No one has turned up so far, today, either. We’re on Minton Avenue in Chatham.
I appreciate the communication informing the public residents of what is going on and why. Thank youi.. I am also curious to know what happens to the old iron piping? Is is recyclable? If so, what process is used? Since this is also about doing the right thing at the right time, I am wondering about the future. How long will the new piping last or what is the expected life cycle of the plastic piping? Thanks in advance for taking he time to (hopefully) respond.
Oops. I think you meant that methane is 25 times worse than carbon dioxide, not carbon monoxide. Carbon dioxide is the standard all greenhouse gases are compared to. The monoxide is actually a weak greenhouse gas, but it eventually oxidizes to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
When will they be in the Bloomfield area? I have a gas pipe in my front yard that actually is a little scary being that people can see the top of it right in my front yard!
My gas service line (house to street) was upgraded last year by your crews snaking a plastic liner up the old pipe – no trenching required, for which I was grateful. Didn’t have to tear up my lawn or garden. I’m curious – is this how you’re replacing the mains, as well? That is, leaving the old pipes in place and pushing the new plastic lines through them? Seems like an economical solution especially if the old pipes provide some degree of protection for the new and thereby extend projected lifetime.
Just want to thank the workers for PSEG who are working on this project. It must be a nightmare getting this job done, yet from my observations what I see are competent, professional, and dedicated workers, who are courteous and do everything they can to make this as painless as possible for those of us impacted by all the street detours and closures. Do we groan and complain? Of course. But contrary to belief, deep down we realize how necessary the disruption is to complete the job. A big, fat thank you, to all of you who have been there from early morning to evening to get this important job done..
What is the schedule for paving the streets? Every block around ours has been paved but not ours. Trucks travel our street every day numerous times. The sound of them hitting the ruts and gullies sounds like explosions with the concussion rattling shelves and wall hangings. Scoles Avenue, Clifton from Bloomfield Ave to the end. I recall seeing a schedule stating it would be complete by June 2017.
This country has been neglecting and ignoring it’s infrastructure for far too long. I am more than happy to see upgrades going on in anything even if it causes temporary inconvenience. Thank you.