Statement: Proposed Peoples Gas order advances safer, fairer approach to methane leaks

Illinois Commerce Commission administrative law judges today issued a proposed order in Peoples Gas' pending rate case that fully adopts Environmental Defense Fund's recommendations for addressing methane leaks across the utility's service territory.

"Requiring Peoples Gas to use advanced technology to find, measure and report methane leaks is a commonsense solution that will improve safety, reduce climate pollution and strengthen accountability," said Curt Stokes, Director and Senior Attorney, Equitable Utility Solutions, Environmental Defense Fund. "Every customer helps pay for the gas system, and everyone deserves the same level of safety. This is an important step toward making Chicago's gas system safer for every neighborhood."

The proposed order would require Peoples Gas to continue using advanced methane leak detection technology and use that data to help prioritize replacement of leak-prone pipes, building on progress the utility has already made. EDF expert analysis found, compared with other neighborhoods, Chicago neighborhoods with higher percentages of people of color have 30% more leak-prone pipe per capita, 40% more methane leaks per capita, 43% more leaks per mile of main and 79% more leaks per mile of leak-prone pipe.

EDF urges the Illinois Commerce Commission to affirm these commonsense protections in its final order.