BGE continuously inspects, maintains and invests in the gas system that includes thousands of miles of underground pipelines and our liquefied natural gas and propane storage facilities.
We deliver gas safely and reliably to 700,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. We are focused on modernizing the gas system, and through our STRIDE program and our more than 40 Operation Pipeline projects underway or completed since 2010, we are systematically replacing more than 1,300 miles of existing cast iron and bare steel natural gas pipes with modern, durable equipment.
Read more about major gas system projects and programs below:
Key Initiatives:
As part of BGE's STRIDE plan, Operation Pipeline is BGE's multi-year initiative to modernize our systems to support the growing communities of Maryland. We will be upgrading hundreds of miles of natural gas pipes and equipment in dozens of communities. The purpose of Operation Pipeline is to proactively replace cast iron and bare steel pipes with new, durable gas mains that will better serve customers for decades to come. This program also helps maintain the safety and reliability of BGE's service to improve the quality of life for our customers.
The underground gas mains in your neighborhood have served our customers well for decades but are now reaching the end of their useful lives. These aging gas mains must be replaced by BGE to continue safe and reliable gas delivery to you. The new mains operate at a higher pressure, which requires adding a service regulator and vent lines, and upgrading your gas meter to ensure gas can enter your home safely.
It may be necessary to relocate customers' gas meters to accommodate a regulator and to ensure that meters are easily accessible and meet current standards. Because of this, it is BGE's preference to relocate customers' interior gas meters to the exterior of their homes.
As a reminder, all BGE customers are required to provide BGE with unobstructed access to their gas equipment. This includes all piping up to and including the gas meter. Customers are also required to maintain at least three feet of clearance around all equipment. Contractors will remove any obstruction surrounding new or existing equipment with less than this clearance and may not replace it in kind.
Additionally, customers authorize BGE to access and repair this equipment under the terms of the BGE Gas Service Tariff. Failure to provide access to this equipment could initiate a process that may result in your service being interrupted or terminated per the Gas Service Tariff.
Watch an overview video of the Operation Pipeline program. The video is available in English (left) and Spanish (right). Vea el resumen en video del programa Operation Pipeline. Este video está disponible en Ingles (izquierda) y Español (derecha).
You can also contact the project team directly at 1-410-470-7700 or OperationPipeline@BGE.com with specific questions and concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Operation Pipeline
Current Operational Pipeline Projects
Zoom in to see the street boundaries of Operation Pipeline projects
BGE Gas Transmission Program Overview – Language in MYP Version 1 (place after the map concluding the Operation Pipeline section)
In 2019, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under the U.S. Department of Transportation published a rule under federal code DOT Part 192 that requires gas pipeline operators (BGE) to have traceable, verifiable, and complete records to reconfirm the maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) for all gas transmission pipelines or facilities on their system. In addition, all transmission lines are now required to meet the new rules despite the codes and standards in place during their original construction.
Over the next twelve years, BGE will make significant investments to modernize our gas transmission pipelines and facilities to comply with the new federal regulation. BGE's Gas Transmission MAOP Reconfirmation Program will help maintain the safety and reliability of BGE's gas system as well.
As we finalize projects, we will list them on this page. You can reference our frequently asked questions page or contact the project team directly at BGEGasTransmissionProgram@bge.com for more information.
What is a Gas Transmission pipeline or facility?
What is a Gas Transmission pipeline or facility? For BGE, our Gas Transmission pipelines transport gas from several facilities located along interstate pipelines where we transfer custody of gas supply to the BGE system. BGE also has Transmission pipelines designated on our system based on their operating pressure and pipe size.
Why is this upgrade to Gas Transmission pipelines and facilities necessary?
PHMSA is revising the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations to improve the safety of onshore gas transmission pipelines. This new/updated rule addresses congressional mandates and National Transportation Safety Board recommendations and responds to public input.
What type of work will BGE be doing in the area?
Construction activities for these projects require a large footprint to safely access our gas transmission pipelines and facilities. BGE will need to utilize heavy machinery for excavations, transporting materials, etc. BGE will utilize environmental controls as dictated by the jurisdiction where work is taking place. BGE will complete all work within existing or procured BGE right of ways/agreements; however, the activities may still impact surrounding areas with noise.
Will the construction work impact my gas service?
We will contact affected customers to walk through their specific impact before work occurs. BGE does not anticipate construction work activities to impact general gas service.
How long will it take to repair and restore the area where BGE will dig?
Most openings in asphalt or concrete are temporarily restored the same day the work is performed. Depending on the job, weather conditions, and the time of year, permanent restoration could take a few days to a few months. We will need to keep large trenches that allow us to access our existing infrastructure and/or construct new infrastructure open until work in that area is complete. BGE will evaluate all areas on a case-by-case basis. However, if you discover a location with no temporary restoration or in a state of deterioration, please contact us so we can address the issue.
Why do you only pave a portion of the street or sidewalk?
We work closely with the Maryland State Highway Administration and local municipalities when restoring roadways and sidewalks to their original condition. Adhering to jurisdictional specifications, we typically repair walkways from joint to joint and pavement within the lane where we created the opening. We will consider upcoming repaving schedules and recently completed repaving work in determining the appropriate remedy, as approved by the jurisdictional authority.
