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Los Alamos reviews gas system upgrades, Elk Ridge hookups; resident raises connection‑fee concern
Summary
Operations staff updated the board on gas distribution projects including DP Road and Elk Ridge, leak detection improvements and meter installations; a public commenter from Elkridge said riser placement may be unsafe and repeated a rumor that homeowners could be charged roughly $1,000 to connect.
Clay (presenting the annual gas distribution update) told the Utilities Board the county’s gas system is split between the townsite (100 PSI trunk) and White Rock (60 PSI) and summarized capital and operations work this year.
He said crews completed a large DP Road upgrade that replaced a hodgepodge of older lines with standardized 4‑inch mains to improve future capacity and reliability. A Court Street repair uncovered a deep, isolated steel section with corrosion; crews replaced and documented the work. Clay said the department is entering historical records into GIS and Energy World Net to reduce future uncertainty about legacy construction.
On operations he said the county has a dedicated gas crew performing pipeline patrols, cathodic protection and continuous surveillance; staff repaired 10 leaks this year and continue monthly leak surveys in Elk Ridge. He described the Elk Ridge third‑party municipal project as mostly complete on mains but still needing many service and meter installs; the county will take over ownership and long‑term maintenance of the installed municipal system when finished.
A public commenter, Richard Cottrell, who identified himself as an Elkridge resident, urged the county to revisit riser placement at his mobile‑home court (he said current plans put a riser near parking and walkways). He also raised a circulating rumor that homeowners would be charged about $1,000 to complete their individual connections; Clay and staff said they would review the matter and that pressure‑test/inspection costs are typically much lower but final homeowner charges depend on project design and whether third‑party contractors bill residents.
Board members asked practical questions about ownership to the meter, timing to avoid winter shutoffs during conversion, coordination with the state for witnessed pressure testing and the need to maintain leak surveys while construction continues. Clay said the project’s schedule (late summer start) and state inspection capacity will likely push some of the residential tie‑ins into the following spring to avoid winter heating‑season risks.
Public comment ended without further items and the board adjourned to a brief closed session.
