News Story

INDIANAPOLIS – Citizens Energy Group (“Citizens”) today broke ground on a multi-year project to upgrade four miles of legacy natural gas pipeline at key locations on the east side of Indianapolis, made possible by a $7.5 million federal grant. Citizens leadership, U.S. Congressman André Carson, local Indianapolis leaders, and Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) provided remarks commending the impact that projects like this one can have on a community.

Photos of the groundbreaking and a new construction site near Millersville Road are included below.

“Citizens continues to work toward improving our infrastructure, securing outside funding where we can for upgrades across our various utility systems,” said Jeffrey Harrison, President & CEO of Citizens Energy Group. “We’re building upon decades of pipeline safety improvements within our nearly 4,000-mile system by making this four-mile portion even more resistant to corrosion via new contemporary plastic pipeline.” 

Construction begins in 2024 on a portion of natural gas main in the Avondale Meadows neighborhood, generally along the Rural Street corridor between Fall Creek and 30th Street. The next two years will see additional construction along this same corridor south into the Martindale Brightwood neighborhood and at the site of a legacy natural gas main in the Far Eastside neighborhood installed more than 70 years ago. When the project is complete, the entirety of Citizens' 4,000-mile system of natural gas mains will be composed of this safer style of plastic pipeline.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver," said Congressman André Carson. "Indiana alone has already received $7.9 billion for necessary improvement to our roads, public transit, and airports. Now, we’re ensuring the safety of our neighborhoods by upgrading natural gas main lines – and it’s all thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I proudly championed. Together, we can improve public health and safety and reduce methane emissions that could otherwise be a threat to our community for years to come.”

Citizens was one of 37 recipients for this round of infrastructure funding via a Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization grant established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”, an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation). Within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this grant program will provide nearly $1 billion of funding exclusively for publicly- and community-owned gas utilities (including Indianapolis as a recipient). 

“PHMSA is proud to join Citizens Energy Group and Congressman Carson to break ground on this expedited effort to replace 4 miles of aged, leak-prone, cast iron pipe across Indianapolis,” said PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown. “Funding for this project was made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supporting this project to increase pipeline safety, reduce pollution, and save people money on their energy bills.”  

Key goals of the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization grant include enhancing pipeline safety and preventing pipeline leaks, which can have impacts on the improvement of public safety and public health outcomes for neighborhoods in addition to reducing methane emissions from natural gas distribution pipes.

“In Martindale Brightwood, our neighborhood is guided by resident-influenced Quality of Life goals, several of which speak to the safety of our infrastructure,” said Barato Britt, President & CEO of Edna Martin Christian Center. “This project represents an investment in the long-term health and safety of our residents, and I want our neighbors to see and hear about the work that will be done to sustain our vibrant community.”

Citizens’ natural gas system has been recognized as one of the safest, best maintained urban gas utilities in the U.S., a comparison confirmed by an ongoing leak detection study by the Environmental Defense Fund. For more information on the construction progress and phasing of this ongoing effort, please visit www.citizensnergygroup.com/castironreplacement.  

About the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) develops and enforces regulations for the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operation of the nation's 3.4-million-mile pipeline transportation system and the nearly 1.2 million daily shipments of hazardous materials by land, sea, and air. In 2023, PHMSA announced $196 million in grant funds would be awarded to the first round of recipients in a new Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) grant program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

About Citizens Energy Group
Citizens Energy Group provides safe and reliable utility services to about 900,000 people in the Indianapolis area. Citizens operates its utilities for the benefit of customers and the community.

Media Contact Information
Ben Easley
Phone: 317-519-1515
Email: media@citizensenergygroup.com