Amid sub-zero temperatures, more than 1 million Wisconsin customers told to keep natural gas due to pipeline malfunction
We Energies advised customers to immediately turn their thermostats to 62 degrees or lower on Friday night to avoid a widespread service outage.
Guardian Pipeline notified customers on Friday that it has restricted northbound gas flow on one of its interstate pipelines due to unscheduled maintenance at an Illinois compressor station.
We Energies spokesman Brendan Conway said Guardian had cut gas supplies by 30%.
Conway said the utility was tapping into liquefied gas and propane storage facilities and had reduced gas deliveries to commercial customers whose contracts allow service interruptions. But due to extreme cold in most of the country, the utility is unable to obtain gas from other pipeline providers.
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A spokesperson for the pipeline company said one of the two faulty valves was restored Friday evening and crews were working on the second to restore capacity “in a timely manner”.
We Energies said it would reassess the situation and notify customers on Saturday.
In addition to lowering thermostats, the company is asking residents to avoid secondary gas heaters, ovens, stoves and clothes dryers.
The National Weather Service was forecasting low temperatures of zero to minus 14 degrees in Wisconsin on Friday evening.
winter survival tips
With temperatures dropping below zero and wind chills dipping well below, emergency officials are urging residents to stay safe. The combination of windblown snow and low temperatures also makes travel particularly perilous. Here are some tips for weathering the storm.
• If possible, stay indoors. Limit time spent outdoors for pets.
• If you must go out, dress in several loose layers. Wear a hat, mittens and snow boots. Use a scarf to cover your mouth and face.
• Know the signs and symptoms of hypothermia, including chills, exhaustion, confusion and slurred speech.
• Know the signs and symptoms of frostbite, including redness or pain on any part of the skin.
• Watch your friends, family and neighbors. People most at risk of cold injury are the elderly, babies, people who spend a lot of time outdoors, such as the homeless and hunters, and people who drink alcohol or use drugs.
• Prepare emergency kits for your home and vehicle that include blankets, snacks and water, medicine and other essentials. Keep your gas tank at least half full. Go to readywisconsin.wi.gov/make-a-kit for tips on preparing emergency kits.
• Make sure snow does not block outdoor furnace and water heater vents, which could lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide in a home.
If your power goes out:
• Close off unused spaces and limit the number of exterior door openings.
• Open cupboards to prevent pipes from freezing; in the event of a prolonged outage, leave a faucet partially open to maintain the flow of water.
• Never use a ventless stove, oven, grill or heater to stay warm and do not operate portable generators in enclosed spaces as these appliances give off carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can be fatal. .
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