NEW JERSEY NATURAL GAS CONTINUES ITS RESTORATION PLAN AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SERVICE OUTAGES

Here are today’s assessment and restoration updates for the damaged portions of our system:

Bay Head to Seaside

We have cleared 59 percent of the anomalies identified from Bay Head to Seaside. These anomalies must be addressed before we can begin to re-introduce natural gas into our mains. We expect to clear all anomalies between now and December 3, when we plan to begin re-pressurizing our system just south of the Mantoloking Bridge. Barring unforeseen conditions that may delay our work, we anticipate restoring natural gas service by the end of December to all of our customers whose homes have not sustained such major damage that we cannot safely restore their service.

Long Beach Island

Natural gas is now available to 5,075 of our customers’ meters.Today, we are re-introducing natural gas into the seventh section of our main on Long Beach Island, from 49th Street in Brant Beach south to 85th Street.  We expect to move onto the seventh section tomorrow, from 86th Street to 128th Street.Scheduling, details and updates on our LBI restoration work are available at www.njng.com/safety/hurricane-sandy-updates/lbi-service-restoration.asp.  

Ocean County Mainland

Natural gas is now available to 6,708 of our affected customers’ meters, with 2,161 turned back on.

Our crews have replaced 240 feet of the main that needs to be replaced on First Avenue in Manasquan and have made natural gas available to an additional 14 of our affected customers’ meters. So far, we have replaced a total of 940 feet of our main in Manasquan. As Municipal crews continue to clear debris and provide access, our work follows closely behind.

16 more meters in the Bayshore region are gas-ready, and we continue to finalize plans and make preparations for re-pressurization of Clifford Way and Bayshore Avenue in Laurence Harbor.

Meters are now being rebuilt in the sections where natural gas has been reintroduced.  Once a meter has been re-established and you see a tag on the customer gas valve just past your meter, your home’s natural gas service may be turned on by your qualified technician-- but only after electricity has been restored, you have safely returned to your home, and your qualified technician has determined that your natural gas equipment is safe to operate. 

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 800-GAS-LEAK. 

With natural gas now restored to some 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.