This season marks an important first step in a new chapter for Chicago’s communities. Over the coming weeks, Peoples Gas crews will begin early fieldwork as we ramp up the major task of removing extremely old, rapidly corroding energy pipes from Chicago’s heating system.
Our goal is simple: to ensure that every home and business in Chicago continues to have a safe and reliable energy system. Many of the pipes serving our city date back more than a century — some to the 1800s. They’ve done their job well, but it’s time to replace them with new materials built to last for generations into the future.
Earlier this year, the Illinois Commerce Commission gave Peoples Gas the green light — and the responsibility — to retire these old energy mains by 2035. That’s a big lift, and an important one. It means we’re entering a new period of progress, and we want our customers and communities to be part of every step along the way. Safety, reliability and transparency are our top priorities.
What’s happening first
Our crews are beginning pre-construction work in about a dozen neighborhoods across the city. This includes surveys, planning and conversations with residents and businesses to prepare for construction. Our team members will have Peoples Gas identification.
Because new gas mains may require new connections to each building, our crews will work with customers to determine the precise location an energy line will enter each building, and where safety equipment will be placed. These team members will ensure everything is done safely and respectfully.
When it’s time for active construction, we’ll notify customers again with clear information about what to expect — from temporary flags that guide excavations to how we’ll restore streets and sidewalks once the pipe work is done.
Similar work will be done in more Chicago neighborhoods in the coming years, as pipes nearing the end of their useful lives exist across the city. Peoples Gas will use a thorough risk assessment of all pipes in the system to ensure the ones most at risk are removed from use as quickly as possible.
Investing in Chicago’s future
Beyond safety and reliability, this modernization effort has big environmental benefits. Replacing old energy pipes stops leaks and creates cleaner air. It enables the use of renewable natural gas, and even carbon-free hydrogen in the future. It makes Chicago’s energy system both stronger and more sustainable.
This is an opportunity to modernize our city’s underground energy network — now and for generations to come. We are honored to do it alongside the customers we serve. Together, we’ll make sure Chicago’s heating system remains safe, dependable and built for the future.
This Opinion piece from Peoples Gas President Maria Bocanegra was published in Crain’s Chicago Business on October 30, 2025