9035

The excerpts do not specifically identify "areas of growth" in the economic or business sense. Instead, the focus is on operational improvements and ongoing safety measures related to natural gas leak management and infrastructure rehabilitation by Washington Gas. The key considerations addressed include:

- Completion of the rehabilitation project in the affected area of Prince George’s County, with continued planned replacement of coupled pipe based on engineering analysis of leak data.
- Ongoing monitoring and analysis of coupling leaks across the distribution system, especially in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
- Continued operation of hexane injection facilities to condition domestic gas and reduce leaks.
- Adherence to DOT requirements for addressing all discovered leaks.
- Annual meetings and data reporting protocols to ensure transparent oversight of leak management efforts.

These considerations center on infrastructure integrity, leak prevention, regulatory compliance, and operational transparency rather than traditional "areas of growth" such as market expansion or revenue increase 1, 2.

The key stakeholders identified in the docket "9035 – in the matter of the inquiry into natural gas leaks from the Washington Gas Light Company distribution system" include:

- Washington Gas Light Company (the utility under inquiry)
- Maryland Public Service Commission (the regulator)
- Office of People’s Counsel (OPC), representing consumers
- Commission staff (including staff counsel and assistant chief engineer)
- Other legal representatives and counsel for both Washington Gas and the Commission

The provided excerpts do not specify which stakeholders are for or against particular proposals within this docket. They mainly discuss procedural updates, reporting protocols, and meeting agreements among stakeholders, such as switching from quarterly to annual meetings regarding the hexane injection program. There is no direct mention of positions for or against specific proposals in the provided information 1, 2, 3.

The provided excerpts do not discuss financial or timeline risks and concerns directly. The reports focus on operational activities, such as completion of the rehabilitation project, ongoing leak monitoring and repairs, and coordination on hexane injection data. No explicit mention of financial risks (e.g., cost overruns, funding issues) or timeline risks (e.g., delays, missed deadlines) is included in the information provided 1, 2.

Maryland PSC Case No. 9035 concerns the monitoring, reporting, and mitigation of mechanical coupling leaks in the Washington Gas Light Company (Washington Gas) natural gas distribution system, with a focus on Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Initiated in 2005 following a rise in coupling leaks, the case has involved:

- Quarterly reports by Washington Gas detailing annual and monthly coupling leak counts, leak rate calculations (including z values), and progress on mitigation measures.
- Completion of a rehabilitation project in the affected area of Prince George’s County, with ongoing leak surveys and planned replacement of coupled pipe based on engineering analysis.
- Continuous monitoring of coupling leaks system-wide and operation of hexane injection facilities to condition domestic gas and reduce seal degradation in couplings.
- Coordination and data review meetings among Washington Gas, PSC staff, and the Office of People’s Counsel, now occurring annually.
- Ongoing compliance with DOT repair requirements: immediate repair of grade 1 leaks and timely repair of grade 2 leaks.

The case continues to track leak trends, replacement progress, and system conditioning, aiming to address both historic and emerging coupling leak risks 1, 2.

Key events and submissions in the Washington Gas leak inquiry proceeding (Case No. 9035) as documented in the excerpts:

- April 7, 2005: The Maryland Public Service Commission issued a Notice of Inquiry that initiated ongoing reporting requirements for Washington Gas regarding natural gas leaks 1.
- April 12, 2006: Modification to the original reporting requirements, adjusting the reporting protocol for the proceeding 1.
- August 8, 2006: Washington Gas modified its rehabilitation project to address mechanical coupling leaks in Prince George's County 1, 2.
- Fall 2015: Washington Gas, Staff, and the Office of People’s Counsel met to review submitted leak data, including hexane injections, and agreed on an annual meeting regarding the hexane injection program going forward 1, 2.
- January 15, 2021: Filing of the 59th quarterly report, including data analysis and z-value calculations for monthly leaks 3.
- April 14, 2021: Filing of the 60th quarterly report, with updates on leak surveys, repairs, and completed rehabilitation project 1.
- October 15, 2021: Filing of the 62nd quarterly report, confirming completion of the rehabilitation project and ongoing monitoring/replacement efforts 2.
- October 17, 2022: Filing of the 66th quarterly report 4.
- July 17, 2023: Filing of the 69th quarterly report 5, 6.
- January 15, 2025: Filing of the 75th quarterly report, including updated annual leak data for Montgomery and Prince George's Counties through 2024 7.
- April 15, 2025: Contact and service list update for counsel and representatives in the proceeding 8.
- April 21, 2025: Official appearance and representation change for the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel in this case 9.

Washington Gas has continued to submit quarterly reports as required, with key milestones marked by changes to reporting protocol, completion of rehabilitation projects, annual meetings for specific technical reviews, and periodic updates to stakeholder contact information.