Court challenge targets Maryland gas pipeline replacement projects
(UI) — Maryland's Office of People's Counsel (OPC) has filed a court challenge alleging state utility regulators are not enforcing a 2025 law that requires natural gas utilities to justify pipeline replacement projects and evaluate alternatives before proceeding.
The appeal, filed in Baltimore City Circuit Court, challenges the Maryland Public Service Commission's (PSC) approval of Washington Gas pipeline replacement work while the commission continues developing regulations to implement the state's Next Generation Energy Act, which took effect in 2025.
According to Maryland Matters, the law requires gas utilities to demonstrate that proposed pipeline replacement projects improve safety and benefit customers, while also considering alternatives to replacing existing infrastructure. According to the OPC, allowing projects to move forward before the regulations are finalized undermines the law's intent.
"The General Assembly took an important step to curb gas infrastructure replacement work that is driving up utility rates," Maryland People's Counsel David Lapp said in a statement announcing the court filing.
The PSC began a formal rulemaking process earlier this year to establish implementation guidelines for the law, Maryland Matters reported. Draft regulations are expected by the end of July. PSC Chairman Kumar Barve has said the commission is seeking input from utilities, consumer advocates and other stakeholders before finalizing the rules.
Washington Gas maintains that its current five-year infrastructure replacement program complies with state requirements and noted that portions of the plan were approved before the law was enacted. The utility said its replacement program is designed to maintain the safety and reliability of its natural gas distribution system.
The dispute centers on Maryland's long-running gas infrastructure replacement program, which consumer advocates argue has contributed to rising customer costs, while utilities contend the investments are necessary to replace aging pipelines and maintain public safety.
The court challenge comes as Maryland regulators continue reviewing how the 2025 law will be implemented for future gas pipeline replacement projects across the state.
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