(Spencer)– Black Hills Energy has brought in additional personnel from as far away as Arkansas, Nebraska and Kansas to make repairs and restore natural gas service in Spencer. The utility company says service has been systematically restored to nearly 500 homes and businesses so far and that work continues in extended shifts.
As Black Hills Energy continues to work through the restoration process in Spencer, customers should note the following:
- Once electrical services have been restored to the premise and natural gas appliances have been inspected by a licensed professional, please call Black Hills Energy at 888-890-5554 to have your natural gas service restored and damaged metering equipment replaced.
- Flood water damaged appliances or components may need to be replaced due to manufacturers requirements and damage to safety components.
- Technicians marked gas meters that were turned off with pink yard flags. Leave these flags in your yard. The pink flags allow Black Hills Energy to properly track meters that are in need of repairs and will be removed once service is restored. Removing the flags before natural gas is restored, will only delay the process.
- Automatic account notifications were generated as part of our normal procedures.
- Budget billing and automatic payments may have been affected once gas service was discontinued and all accounts will be reviewed as the restoration process continues.
During restoration, technicians will follow this process:
- Make repairs to the natural gas distribution system if necessary.
- Repressurize and test the natural gas system.
- After service is restored, technicians will turn on each individual meter.
- Enter your home or business to perform a safety inspection of your natural gas equipment and re-light all pilot lights. Someone over 18 years old needs to be present.
Please remember the following safety tips:
- Be alert for leaking natural gas. If you smell natural gas, leave the building or area immediately and tell others to leave, too.
- After you’re safely away from the area, call 911 and our emergency number at 888-890-5554. Never assume someone else has reported a natural gas leak. Alert your neighbors.
- Do not turn on lights, ignite a flame, use a cell phone, or use anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or a generator while inside your home or any building.
- Never attempt to repair a natural gas leak, and do not attempt to turn natural gas valves on or off.
Service restoration updates will continue to be shared with customers, local media and on Black Hills Energy social media channels.
