Dr. Joe von Fischer testified before the Illinois Commerce Commission that utility Peoples Gas’s leakiest, most failure-prone pipes are concentrated in Chicago’s  neighborhoods with more residents of color, yet the company’s replacement program is not prioritizing those communities’ infrastructure first.

Conducting the first statistical analysis of Peoples Gas’ own data, Dr. von Fisher, an expert in methane detection, found significant disparities in aging gas infrastructure across Chicago neighborhoods. Neighborhoods with higher percentages of people of color have more leak-prone pipe and gas leaks, and residents are more likely to discover leaks through odor calls rather than proactive utility surveys.

Dr. von Fischer’s testimony offered new evidence that can help Illinois better target customer-funded investments, improve safety, and reduce methane emissions as regulators consider the utility’s request to increase rates. The analysis concluded by urging the Illinois Commerce Commission to require a more transparent, data-driven approach to pipeline replacement that improves safety, reduces methane emissions and directs investments where they can have the greatest impact.