As a regulated gas delivery company, the top priority of Dominion Energy West Virginia is to provide safe and reliable service to our customers. As part of our Pipeline Replacement and Expansion Program (PREP) that launched on March 1, 2016, Dominion Energy West Virginia will replace more than 1,000 miles of the company’s 3,146 mile distribution pipeline system.

Over the 50-year program, we will upgrade the pipe from a bare-steel, cast iron, wrought iron and copper pipe to either effectively coated steel or plastic pipe. This will typically affect the mainline, which is usually in the street, and various service lines, which run from the mainline to the gas meter.

We would like to stress that the existing mainline is safe. These enhancements are being conducted to meet all U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. The new pipeline will be more durable and resistant to corrosion, which allows Dominion Energy West Virginia the ability to deliver a commitment to safe, reliable service.

Due to the extensive nature of this program, we may be working in many different areas at the same time. We are committed to notifying customers prior to a project in which they might experience Dominion Energy representatives or its contractors on the property as a result of the project.

Customers may experience representatives on their property during the following phases of the project. Any employee or contractor that will need access to inside gas equipment will carry a Dominion Energy photo ID.

We understand that this process can be inconvenient. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding while we improve the natural gas delivery system in your neighborhood. We will make every effort to minimize inconvenience and to ensure that we continue to provide safe, reliable service.

Dominion Energy West Virginia or its contractors will begin preliminary work on the project. This work may consist of surveying and staking the pipeline route and any other activity as required by the project.

Dominion Energy West Virginia will perform mainline work in the public Right of Way, which includes the tree-lawn area. This may require removal of obstructions located in the Right of Way.

Depending on the type of pre-construction work that is completed, restoration of yards, sidewalks and pavement may be needed. Typical yard restoration is limited to grading and seeding and will be completed as quickly as possible.

Construction begins after the project is designed and the boundaries are determined. Construction for pipeline projects may take several months to complete. The time it takes to complete the job is determined by traffic, street size, weather, and soil type. We will use different heavy equipment and construction techniques, depending on the location of the other underground services and soil conditions.

Due to public safety and traffic flow concerns, it may be necessary to impose temporary parking restrictions in the construction areas. This allows the construction to be completed as quickly as possible. Signs will be posted where parking is banned. The Dominion Energy West Virginia inspector on the job site will work with businesses to understand the impact of traffic restrictions. Steel plates may be used to temporarily cover excavation and trenches on roadways. Materials used in construction may be left on a street or other areas to avoid multiple deliveries by large equipment.

Along with mainline installation, we will replace service lines, which are underground pipes that run from the mainline to the gas meter, as needed. The Dominion Energy West Virginia inspector or contractor will attempt to contact the customer to schedule the service line replacement. An adult 18 years of age or older must be present to provide access to the meter and to relight any gas appliances once the gas service is restored.

Similar to the first phase of the program, we will begin yard restoration as quickly as possible once an area of construction is complete. With the exception of winter construction projects, restoration will begin as soon as weather permits. Final restoration of winter construction projects will normally not begin until after the growing season has started. As mentioned, typical yard restoration is limited to grading and seeding.