Unitil, a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England, has been recognized by the American Gas Association for having best practices regarding its natural gas operations within the communities it serves.
Specifically, the organization has recognized Unitil for its effectiveness in aggressively replacing cast iron pipes in a cost effective manner, as well as the company’s ability to manage contractors working on its system. Representatives from Unitil have been asked to speak at national American Gas Association conferences in Minnesota and in Oregon later this year to share our operational values with peers.
“Our cost of replacement is in the top quartile nationally, meaning we are replacing the oldest pipes in our system at among the lowest cost to our customers,” Unitil Media Relations Manager Alec O’Meara said. “At the same time, we are getting this work done in a safe, aggressive, efficient manner, assuring that the communities we serve will have a modernized infrastructure that will continue to meet the growing needs of the area.”
Projects referenced in the recognition include the SURE project, Unitil’s 14-year program to replace or upgrade cast iron or bare steel pipes in the greater Portland area. Now in its fifth year, the SURE project was 30 percent complete at the start of this year’s construction season, with all work in Westbrook already finished.
