NJNG PROVIDES WEEKLY UPDATE ON SERVICE RESTORATION TO STORM-DAMAGED PORTIONS OF ITS SYSTEM

New Jersey Natural Gas today provided the following update of its restoration to the storm-damaged portions of its system:

We have completed the re-pressurization of our system on the Seaside peninsula.  This week, we made 9,753 meters ready for natural gas, 9,674 of which are on the Seaside peninsula.  Residential meters in the southernmost section of the peninsula will be rebuilt by the end of the day tomorrow, December 22. 

At that point, the only remaining meters that can safely be rebuilt will be those larger than residential meters, and multi-meter sets. We estimate that those will be rebuilt by December 30. We also are beginning to repair our system that serves the more heavily damaged side streets where main or services were retired for safety reasons.

Once your meter work has been completed, you should see a tag on your meter, which indicates that your home or business has natural gas to its meter. As soon as you see the tag, and your home or business has electricity and is habitable and occupied, then you may have your own qualified technician determine that your natural gas system and equipment are safe for use, and turn on your natural gas service.

Updates on our schedule and progress are available at www.njng.com.

Federal, New Jersey and local safety codes prohibit tampering with natural gas meters and service lines. Even if natural gas service has not yet been restored to your area, this could significantly hamper efforts to restore service.

If you smell an odor of natural gas, leave the building immediately. Do not light matches, touch electrical switches or appliances, or use your telephone. From a safe location, customers should notify us of all gas leaks immediately at 1-800-GAS-LEAK.

With natural gas now restored to many affected areas and property clean-up underway, please remember that at least three business days prior to outdoor construction or digging, contractors and property owners – whoever is excavating – must call New Jersey One Call at 811 or 800-272-1000 and take the following steps:

• Wait for the site to be marked with paint, flags or stakes. Yellow indicates the presence of underground natural gas lines.
• Respect the marks and dig with care.
• Hand dig only (no mechanized equipment) within two feet of buried piping and facilities.
• Be mindful that inclement weather may wash away the painted markings.

For additional information, visit our Hurricane Sandy Resource Center at www.njng.com.