Huron, SD – June 8, 2009 – NorthWestern Energy’s natural gas distribution and transmission systems are undergoing their annual safety inspections across South Dakota and Nebraska.
The company owns and operates more than 2,200 miles of natural gas pipelines that deliver natural gas to approximately 84,500 customers in South Dakota and Nebraska. Federal and state regulations require the company to conduct regular, routine inspections of the facilities as part of the company’s operation, maintenance and safety programs.
Employees are currently conducting annual leak surveys on the distribution systems in each community. Commercial districts are surveyed annually, while residential areas are surveyed every four years. Surveyors using equipment that looks similar to a metal detector walk above the pipelines placing the “sniffers” to the ground every few feet. The sensitive equipment alerts the surveyor if it detects even the smallest presence of natural gas in the soil. Servicemen follow up on any positive readings to find the source and to make make any fixes that may be necessary.
In addition, employees are conducting pipe-to-soil surveys that test steel pipes for potential corrosion. This also involves an individual walking through residential areas and occasionally entering yards to conduct field tests and measurements. The pipe-to-soil survey is part of the company’s cathodic protection program that is designed to protect underground steel pipes from corrosion.
In all cases, NorthWestern Energy employees drive vehicles and wear clothing that identify them as official company representatives and carry some form of company identification (i.e., business card, access key card, etc.). However, please alert NorthWestern Energy or law enforcement immediately if you witness suspicious individuals or activities near or around our facilities.
As a reminder, customers are responsible for the maintenance of gas pipes that lead from the gas meter to various locations or appliances on the property such as a detached garage or barbeque grill. If you find anything out of the ordinary on your property, such as bubbling ponds or dead/discolored vegetation in an otherwise green area near a location of an underground pipe, you should contact a qualified service technician to perform any needed repairs.
If you smell natural gas, please notify NorthWestern Energy or call 911. From a safe location call NorthWestern Energy’s emergency number: (800) 245-6977. Calls can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week – we will respond promptly – at no charge.
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Do NOT attempt to locate the leak.
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Do NOT use any phone (even your cell phone) within the house or building.
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Do NOT turn on or off any battery-powered, rechargeable or electrical device, including telephones, garage door openers, televisions, computers or any electrical appliance that could create a spark.
About NorthWestern Energy
NorthWestern Energy provides electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 656,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. More information on NorthWestern Energy is available on the Company's Web site at www.northwesternenergy.com.
Media Contact:
Tom Glanzer
(877) 410-0154
tom.glanzer@northwestern.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Dan Rausch
(605) 978-2902
daniel.rausch@northwestern.com