Gas News Releases

January 16, 2003

Dominion Peoples Clears Natural Gas Blockage; Advises Customers to Stay Warm and Protect Pipes

PITTSBURGH - Dominion Peoples has cleared a natural gas transmission line blockage and has begun relighting customers, but advises customers to stay warm and protect their plumbing from potential freezing.

Dominion has brought crews in from its 3-state service area and will be working around the clock, but clearing and re-pressuring lines in southern Butler County and northern Allegheny County could take some time. The majority of customers will likely be without natural gas service all night. About 2,800 were without service today, but about 400 should be back on tonight.

Because of the extremely cold temperatures, Dominion Peoples reminds customers to:

• Check on their neighbors and especially the elderly to make sure they have heat or transportation to a shelter.
• Use electric space heaters, fireplaces, etc. in a safe manner.
• Check on their neighbors and especially the elderly to make sure they have heat or transportation to a shelter.
• Winterize your home to avoid freezing water lines and drains.
• Dominion Peoples has identified special needs customers and is working with social service agencies to set up temporary shelter locations.
• Many churches and other agencies have set up shelters. Among them are:
• Saxonburg Primary School, 328 Knoch Road, Saxonburg Pa. Telephone Red Cross at (724) 283-2810.
• Highland High School, 1500 Pacific Avenue, Natrona Heights at (724) 226-1000.
• Allegheny Valley Hospital is accepting consumers with special needs-health, medical needs, etc.
• Crews will be working around the clock to restore service and all personnel will have company identification. Crews will need to enter the home to restore service, so if you leave your home, please inform neighbors where Dominion can contact you.
• Areas affected included: Brackenridge, Bull Creek, Saxonburg and Natrona Heights. Most areas affected are in Butler County.
• Service restoration steps include: shutting off the flow of gas, purging the lines of air, re-pressurize the system by section, re-light appliances, inspect appliances. Access to the inside of home is necessary to restore service.