Columbia Gas of Maryland Seeks Rate Increase for Pipeline Replacement Projects

Columbia Gas of Maryland, Inc. (Columbia Gas), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc., today filed a request with the Public Service Commission of Maryland (PSC) to adjust its base rates for distribution service so it can continue to replace aging pipeline and adopt pipeline safety upgrades.  In total, the company is seeking an annual revenue increase of approximately $6 million.

“Our number one priority is maintaining the safety of our customers and the communities we serve,” said Mike Huwar, president of Columbia Gas of Maryland. “We have made, and will continue to make, substantial capital investments in our system to update the safe and reliable system we currently operate. We believe this filing provides a number of tangible benefits to our customers.”

From 2007 to 2017, Columbia Gas invested over $120 million in the modernization and expansion of its distribution system in Maryland. Of that, approximately $80 million was dedicated to replacing 72 miles of aging bare steel and cast iron pipe. In 2018, Columbia Gas will invest approximately $25.7 million in Maryland, with $21 million being invested to upgrade aging underground infrastructure.

“We are proud of our pipeline replacement program and our ability to continue to serve our valued customers safely and reliably, but our work doesn’t stop there,” said Columbia Gas of Maryland Vice President and General Manager Mike Davidson. “We also remain committed to providing a positive customer experience through an educated and trained workforce focused on safely meeting or exceeding all federal and state requirements while operating our distribution system.”

The process for a general rate proceeding before the PSC can take up to seven months and Columbia Gas expects that new rates would be effective near the end of 2018.