PUC Finalizes Plan to Address Replacement of Older At-Risk Plastic Pipe in Natural Gas Systems

PUC Finalizes Plan to Address Replacement of Older At-Risk Plastic Pipe in Natural Gas Systems

Published on 9/11/2025

Filed under: Gas Pipeline

Utilities Required to Identify and Evaluate Older Plastic Materials Linked to Safety Risk

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a Final Order to accelerate the identification of older, at-risk plastic piping and components in natural gas distribution systems across the Commonwealth. The mandatory, granular review of system piping can result in the accelerated replacement of older, at-risk plastic pipe materials.

The Commission's 5-0 vote today builds on ongoing successful efforts to eliminate other higher-risk materials - such as cast iron and unprotected steel - from Pennsylvania's natural gas systems.

The PUC order directs natural gas distribution utilities to catalog the presence of older plastic materials, particularly those identified by federal safety authorities as being prone to brittle-like cracking, and to incorporate appropriate mitigation and replacement into their pipeline integrity management plans.

"Safety is the foundation of our work as regulators and today's action underscores the Commission's commitment to addressing risks wherever they may be found - including in older plastic materials that have been linked to failures across the country," noted PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. "This Final Order ensures that Pennsylvania's natural gas utilities take the necessary steps to identify and address these concerns, advancing our broader mission of protecting communities and maintaining safe and reliable service."

Under the order, the PUC's Bureau of Technical Utility Services (TUS) will issue an ongoing data request to every regulated natural gas utility, requiring them to provide detailed inventories of plastic pipe and components. Any company unable to provide accurate information must submit a plan to identify and catalog these materials, while also explaining how they will differentiate older, at-risk plastic from newer pipe in their federally required pipeline integrity management plans.

Further, the Commission emphasized that utilities which previously failed to respond to PUC data requests on this issue will be referred to the Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement for appropriate action.

Building on Prior Progress

Over the past decade, Pennsylvania has made substantial progress in reducing the amount of cast iron and bare steel pipes in natural gas systems - with utilities using distribution system improvement charges (DSICs) and long-term infrastructure improvement plans (LTIIPs) to support accelerated replacement. Today's order extends that same focus to the specific types of older plastic pipe identified by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the U.S. Department of Transportation as being vulnerable to sudden cracking and leaks.

Next Steps

The PUC stressed that continued vigilance is needed to address aging infrastructure, and that the risks posed by pre-1982 plastic piping must be incorporated into the utilities' planning, replacement, and safety strategies going forward. By requiring detailed inventories and accountability, the Commission reinforces its ongoing priority: ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable natural gas service for Pennsylvanians.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC's website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the "Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission" or "PA PUC" on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket No.: M-2024-3050313

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen Press Secretary 717-418-2701 [email protected]
• David Hixson Deputy Press Secretary 717-772-2766 [email protected]