The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) in the US has authorised Dominion East Ohio to continue its $4bn pipeline infrastructure replacement (PIR) programme and recover the associated costs for another five-year period till 2021.
The commission also approved a rise in annual PIR spending from the existing $160m to $180m next year, $200m in 2018, and increasing by 3% per year thereafter.
Launched by Dominion in mid-2008, the 25-year PIR programme involves the replacement of more than 5,500 miles of the company's 22,000-mile pipeline system.
Dominion East Ohio vice-president and general manager Jeff Murphy said: "The PUCO's decision continues to position Ohio at the forefront of supporting pipeline safety through replacement of older vintage pipelines.
"We're very grateful that the PUCO recognized the importance of increasing program expenditures to help ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of our pipeline system for our over one million customers.”
Residential customers are currently paying a PIR cost recovery charge of $8.12 per month.
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By GlobalDataUnder an agreement approved by PUCO, Dominion has increased its monthly charge for the programme by up to $1.40 each year.
Every year, Dominion's expenditures are reviewed by the PUCO in a bid to ensure that the PIR cost recovery charge accurately reflects actual expenditures in the programme.
The increase in annual spending will help ensure completion of the programme in the originally approved time frame of 25 years.
