Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

Electric and gas utilities have begun notifying residential customers with unpaid and/or past-due balances that if they do not take action and contact their utility to enroll in a payment plan, they are at risk of having their gas services terminated on Thursday, May 2, 2024. If your household has received a notification from your utility company, please contact them directly to set up a payment plan to keep your services on. These plans charge no interest, and all customers qualify at least once for one or more of these plans. After engaging with utility providers, customers may also contact PURA’s customer affairs unit for specific questions regarding payment arrangements. View eligibility, utility contact information

What Do Transmission Pipelines Look Like?

trench and pipe in cityTransmission lines are buried. The only above ground facilities are markers that identify the approximate location of the pipe, city gate and compressor stations and valve sites.

Transmission lines in Connecticut are found in rural areas, as well as in congested areas. 

When first constructed in Connecticut, most transmission lines traversed open areas away from population centers. Since then, homes and business have been built near the transmission lines.

valve site under constructionThis valve site is under construction. The mainline valve allows the gas flow to be stopped, either for maintenance or in an emergency. Special piping allows the main line valve to be by-passed. Blow-offs allow the pressure to be safely lowered to empty the segment and reduce the pressure to zero.

above ground markerAfter the construction is completed, the mainline, valve and bypass will be buried and only the control facilities and blow off vents will be above ground. (Note the existing surface level to which the backfill will reach.)  The entire above ground facility will be surrounded by a chain link fence with locked gates.

Transmission lines have above ground markers to warn excavators and the public of the presence of the buried gas lines.

 

Gas Pipeline Safety

Content last updated March 2024