Cast Iron Program Settlement

On April 11, 2005, the PUC approved an agreement between the Public Advocate and Northern Utilities concerning replacement of Northern's cast iron gas mains with modern plastic pipe. The Commission's gas safety advisor is concerned about the safety of cast iron mains which tend to crack and occasionally cause an explosion. Plastic pipes can also break, but more often as a result of third party damage. There have been no injuries in Maine associated with cast iron mains since 1971.

When the PUC Staff proposed a 10 year program to replace all the cast iron mains at a cost of approximately $35,000,000, the Public Advocate introduced evidence that a less costly program might adequately address the safety concern. Northern agreed with the Public Advocate that this expensive plan was unnecessary to meet an appropriate level of safety. The final agreement provides that the cast iron pipes in Lewiston and Auburn will be replaced rapidly in the next 3 years and then we will have a chance to learn from that experience before negotiating a plan for Portland and Westbrook.

Order Approving Stipulation: PDF | WORD

Stipulation of Settlement: PDF | WORD

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Cast Iron Program Settlement