Chicago — Peoples Gas work crews have begun active construction in 10 Chicago neighborhoods to retire old energy pipes from the heating system. The iron pipes in the system are approaching the end of their useful lives. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) directed Peoples Gas to do the work to ensure ongoing safety and reliability in the city’s heating system.
The neighborhoods are:
- Budlong Woods
- Chatham
- Cragin
- Garfield Ridge
- Irving Woods
- Marquette Park
- Old Irving Park
- Rosemoor
- Schorsch Village
- West Englewood
The construction include excavation to access old energy pipes beneath streets, sidewalks and parkways — and install new pies where necessary. Digging on customers’ lawns will be more limited, as crews connect each building to the modernized system.
As part of the work process, crews also will contact each resident and business when it is time to switch their service from the old pipes to the new infrastructure. This involves scheduling an appointment with each customer, as the switchover requires turning off service for a brief period of time. Peoples Gas team members will leave a door hanger at the front of homes and businesses to ask each customer to contact Peoples Gas to schedule a time to do this work.
Peoples Gas has been in touch with residents and businesses in these neighborhoods since before construction started, to prepare for the work ahead and make sure everyone knew what to expect. Peoples Gas has also debriefed local alderpeople on the work plans, so the elected officials know what to expect and can help keep their constituents informed.
The ICC has directed Peoples Gas to retire more than 1,000 miles of old pipes by the end of 2034.
Ensuring safe, reliable, environmentally sustainable heat
Modernizing Chicago’s heating system brings significant safety, performance and environmental benefits, including:
- Stronger material: New high-tech plastic pipes better withstand Chicago’s freeze-and-thaw cycles, and resist corrosion.
- Emergency shut-off access: Valves are immediately accessible to first responders in case of an emergency.
- Stopping leaks: Modern pipes reduce methane emissions and improve air quality.
- Decarbonized energy: Modern pipes position Chicago to continue using renewable natural gas, and carbon-free hydrogen in the future.
Similar critical work will occur in more Chicago neighborhoods later this year and in coming years, as old 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.
For more information and to ask questions about the work, Chicagoans can go to the Pipe Retirement Program page on the Peoples Gas website.