[This story is republished from the Village of Hamilton, New York - July 2025 Newsletter]

Village of Hamilton Takes the Lead in Advancing Safety Technology for Natural Gas

The Village of Hamilton Natural Gas Utility is proud to play a key role in enhancing pipeline safety through the development of new testing equipment. Working alongside regulatory agencies and industry experts, Hamilton is assisting with efforts to study mechanical tapping tees (MTTs), common pipeline fittings used in systems across the country and in Hamilton, to assess the potential for future natural gas leaks that could develop over time as a result of improper installation or material failure.

While Hamilton’s natural gas system infrastructure is relatively new and not suspected of having any issues relative to MTTs, the Village is actively participating with the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) in the efforts to develop advanced x-ray diagnostic technology designed to assess the condition of MTTs without the need to remove them from distribution pipelines for testing. This non-invasive approach allows for accurate internal imaging, enabling utility crews to identify potential failures while the fittings remain in place—greatly improving efficiency and minimizing service disruptions. This important project reflects Hamilton’s commitment to safety, innovation, and responsible utility management, both here at home and across the country.

Key participants in this initiative included representatives from the New York State Department of Public Service, including Kevin Speicher, Chief of Pipeline Safety, and Kimberly Guzzo. The Northeast Gas Association was represented by Bob Wilson, and technical expertise was provided by Colin Schell of GTI Energy, along with Garrett Sollitto and Alan Narvaez of KODEX. Representing the Village of Hamilton were Russ Lura, President of the Municipal Utilities Commission and Village Trustee; Bob Sullivan, Utilities Commissioner; Chris Carhart, Natural Gas Utility Working Supervisor; Shane Palmer and Jim McCann, Natural Gas Mechanics; Nancy Mitchell, Director of Operations; and McKenzie Bolan, Administrative Assistant. This collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to public safety and infrastructure resilience and represents a significant step forward in protecting communities and modernizing utility systems. Because in Hamilton—safety isn’t just a priority, it’s a promise!