BGE Operation Pipeline
A major operation is underway. BGE is replacing thousands of miles of aging gas pipes with modern, durable new pipes and equipment to serve our community today and long into the future with safe reliable natural gas. BGE’s Operation Pipeline identifies neighborhoods where we'll work to upgrade the entire gas network in order to avoid the need to return year after year to make small repairs. These are major construction projects taking 12 to 24 months in some neighborhoods, though we'll be working on individual blocks for shorter time frames. With the majority of the equipment located underground, this requires a lot of digging. You should be prepared for parking restrictions and temporary lane and road closures, as well as construction vehicles on site as we work. To make our system safer and more reliable, we're also installing equipment that operates at higher pressures to meet the demands of modern appliances. In some instances, meters and piping may be relocated to meet current standards. Here's what you need to know. As crews begin installing gas mains in your neighborhood, you will be notified. Contact information for BGE’s contractor doing the work will be provided on a door hanger. You'll also be contacted to set up an initial meeting and inspection of your meter. Further appointments may be necessary and will require that someone be at home. BGE requires access to meters and service pipes. This means at least three feet of clearance around the gas meter. Any obstructions, including enclosed walls or cabinets, will need to be removed by the customer. Even small access panels don't provide the clearance we need. Outside the home, the service lines and meters cannot be blocked by porches, steps, decks, vegetation or other obstructions. As the new gas mains are installed, a new service pipe will be run from the street to your meter which will require some digging. Don't worry, we'll patch road and sidewalk surfaces, and reseed any disturbed grass. Please be aware though, that some road patching might be a multi-step process, with temporary patching or steel plates in place before a final patch is applied. Your gas will need to be turned off for several hours, so plan on appliances such as hot water heaters, furnaces, clothes dryers and stoves to be off for that time. Afterwards our technician will relight any pilot lights and the work will be inspected once major sections of the new gas mains are completed. Final restoration work will begin as BGE works to repave any temporary patching. At any time during the project you can contact BGE’s contractor via the information provided, or you can also reach BGE's Operation Pipeline Project Team directly with any questions or concerns. As always, if you smell natural gas, leave the area, get to a safe place and call BGE at 1-800-685-0123. Your call for emergency gas service will be answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A service person will come to your home or business free of charge to check for an emergency.  Thanks in advance for your help and patience making Operation Pipeline a success. Our goal is to improve the underground gas systems by making them safer and more reliable, while minimizing disruption in your neighborhood. Operation Pipeline: one of the many ways BGE is moving smart energy forward.