New Jersey regulator greenlights $150 million grid modernisation project | The Paper Source University

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has approved a grid modernisation proposal filed by utility New Jersey Natural Gas.

The approval allows New Jersey Natural Gas to invest $150 million in its Infrastructure Investment Programme over the next five years.

Originally filed in February 2019, the Infrastructure Investment Programme includes a series of projects designed to support the enhanced safety and reliability of the utility’s natural gas distribution system.

The utility will deploy 24 natural gas transmission and distribution replacement and enhancement projects.

The projects will include looping reinforcements, trunk line system upgrades and a regulatory station reconstruction.

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Other projects include the installation of 47,500 protective devices on regulator vents in flood prone areas, and approximately 8,000 excess flow valves, which automatically restrict the flow of natural gas if a service line is broken.

New Jersey Natural Gas will recover costs associated with the projects from its customers.

A typical residential heating customer using 1,000 therms per year could see a cumulative bill impact of 2.4% or a total of $28 over the five-year programme.

Steve Westhoven, president and CEO of New Jersey Natural Gas, said: “As a regulated utility and lifeline service provider, we have a responsibility to provide safe and reliable service. The Board of Public Utilities’ approval today reflects that commitment.

“Through our Infrastructure Investment Programme, we will continue making critical investments to strengthen our world-class delivery system and provide the essential service our customers depend on.”