Overview
PROJECTpipes is a 40-year accelerated pipeline replacement program from Washington Gas (WGL) to modernize the 1,200-mile natural gas distribution system in the District and enhance overall system resiliency, reliability, and safety for nearly 165,000 gas customers. This accelerated replacement program also helps the District meet its climate goals by reducing potential leaks and methane gas emissions on the distribution system.

Since inception, WGL has remediated 35.3 miles of main and 8,296 services through PROJECTpipes phases 1 and 2 as of December 15, 2023.

Project Timeline

PROJECTpipes 1 (PP1)
The DCPSC approved the first phase of PROJECTpipes from June 1, 2014, to September 30, 2019, for a total amount of $110 million, along with a substantial package of annual compliance reporting requirements, in August 2014. PP1 was as extended for 15 months, through December 2020, with a budget not to exceed a total amount of $141.25 million.

PROJECTpipes 2 (PP2)
PP2 began during the extension period of PP1. The DCPSC approved a 3-year PP2 plan from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023, for a total amount of $150 million in December 2020. The DCPSC also required additional compliance reporting and an audit of WGL’s implementation of PROJECTpipes. The DCPSC granted WGL a 12-month extension of PP2 (until February 28, 2025) to allow the Commission to evaluate how to appropriately move forward with WGL’s request to continue replacing high-risk leak-prone aging infrastructure that were subject to increased risk or leaks and/or failure. The DCPSC also capped the surcharge eligible target spend at $50 million for previously approved PP2 programs.

PROJECTpipes 3 (PP3)
The DCPSC rejected WGL’s initial proposal for PP3 and has required that the company submit a new restructured plan that ensures the safe and reliable operation of the natural gas infrastructure that also aligns with the District’s climate goals.