Enstar Pure Gasoline is asking Alaskans to clear snow from meters to assist forestall injury that might result in pure gasoline leaks following heavy snowfall in December, excessive winds and variable temperatures throughout Southcentral.
Enstar, which serves roughly 150,000 clients in Anchorage and the Cook dinner Inlet area, stated Friday that it has obtained “quite a few requires gasoline leaks as a result of weight of snow damaging piping linked to pure gasoline meters.”
“We’ve had greater than 70 calls since December 18th,” Enstar spokesperson Lindsay Hobson stated in an e-mail Friday.
Snow drifts created by sturdy winds put extra weight on gasoline meters than typical snow accumulation, Enstar stated in an announcement. The issue is particularly acute in Mat-Su, which was hammered by sturdy winds over Christmas weekend that led to prolonged energy outages for some residents and roads obstructed by snow drifts.
Enstar described instances the place heavy snow towards gasoline meter piping “is pulling on gasoline strains feeding home equipment inside properties and companies and inflicting pure gasoline to leak.”
Retaining pure gasoline meters away from ice and snow is particularly vital for first responders, who may have instant entry if there’s a fireplace or a gasoline leak — as was the case final week, when Enstar stated it responded to a fireplace solely to search out that snow had fully blocked entry to the meter on web site.
The pure gasoline utility really useful that Alaskans hold snow piles away from gasoline meters; clear a path by the snow to make sure instant entry to meters; and use their hand or a software like a brush — as a substitute of a shovel — to fastidiously clear snow and ice from their meters.
Those that suspect a pure gasoline leak or different associated emergency can name Enstar’s 24/7 emergency line at 1-844-SMELL-GAS (1-844-763-5542).