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Preliminary gas-transition study finds most distribution mains remain ‘sticky’ under scattered electrification
Summary
City staff presented early results of a gas-transition study showing that even with large drops in gas sales, only a small share of mains would be eligible for abandonment without coordinated, block-level conversions. Staff cautioned the study models financial and operational impacts rather than a timeline for transition.
City staff presented a preliminary analysis Oct. 17 of infrastructure and financial impacts from high rates of building electrification and told the Climate Action and Sustainability Committee the physical gas distribution system is “sticky” — meaning random, dispersed electrification would not free up large amounts of mains for abandonment.
"This isn't a study about banning or withdrawing gas service or selling the gas utility," Jonathan Abenshein, assistant director for climate action, said when introducing the study. The study instead models how different levels of electrification would affect gas sales, which costs decline with lower throughput, and which fixed costs persist until mains are abandoned.
Key findings staff reported - Cost drivers. The staff analysis grouped utility costs into those that decline directly with reduced gas sales (for example, gas supply and related environmental charges) and those that are fixed until physical infrastructure is removed. In the…
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