Natural Gas & Propane Safety

Our emergency line is available 24 hours a day.

(888) 467-2669 (Montana)

(800) 245-6977 (South Dakota/Nebraska)

If you smell natural gas, call 911.

What to do if you smell natural gas

Get away
Leave the area immediately.
Don't create a spark
Do not use phones, matches, light switches or anything else that could trigger the ignition of the gas.
Call 911
When at a safe distance, call 911.
Pipeline marker next to road

Pipeline markers

Markers show the approximate location of pipelines and identify the companies that operate them. The pipeline may not follow a straight course between markers. Pipeline operators must place markers, sometimes called right-of-way markers, at public road crossings, and railroad crossings. These markers indicate the pipeline content, the name of the pipeline operator and the operator’s emergency phone number. Please note that even if the pipeline is marked, you must contact 811 for utility line locates before digging near the marker.

Call before you dig

No project is too small. If it requires a shovel, call 811 or visit call811.com at least two full business days before you begin your project.
Learn more

How to Recognize a Gas Pipeline Leak

Call 911, if you notice any of these signs of a pipeline leak:

  • An unusual blowing or hissing sound coming from the ground.
  • Dirt or dust blowing from a hole in the ground.
  • Bubbling ponds.
  • Dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green area near a pipeline right of way.
  • A fire close to a buried pipeline.

Pipeline Purpose and Reliability

Pipelines are the safest way to transport energy products, including natural gas, crude oil and other fuels. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regulates pipelines with the help of state partners. According to government and industry statistics, the most common cause of pipeline incidents is improper or unauthorized digging near a pipeline, which is why it’s important to call 811 before you dig. Pipeline operators carefully build, maintain and monitor the integrity and security of their lines.