Well this just sucks!
In light of 7,000+ customers on Aquidneck Island without heat, National Grid customers should prepare for the worst during this outage.
National Grid is warning customers that this could result in a multi-day event restoration process since they need to access to your home to relight gas appliances.
Also, National Grid said they will reimburse those customers who stay in area hotels.
More from National Grid:
“Out of an abundance of caution, National Grid this evening began suspending gas service to 7,100 gas customers, largely in the city of Newport.
This interruption in service is due to a transmission supply issue from our natural gas supplier – Algonguin Gas Transmission Co., which is owned by Enbridge Inc. National Grid does not know the length of the interruption at this time but it is likely to be a multi-day restoration effort.
“The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is our number one priority and concern, and National Grid is working around-the-clock to safely and reliably restore service,” said Tim Horan, President, National Grid Rhode Island.
National Grid expects to deploy upwards of 1,000 gas workers and support personnel to assist in the restoration effort on Aquidneck Island.
As a precaution, gas will be shut off to approximately 6,800 customers in Newport. Service technicians will be required to visit every customer meter to suspend service. Those technicians will return to re-establish service once the system has been safely and reliably restored.
“The extreme cold is a major concern for us and we apologize for this significant disruption. We encourage all to check on the elderly and your neighbors and ensure you have a plan to stay warm,” Horan added.
The Company is working closely with local officials and state officials, including the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency, to limit risk to property while ensuring the health and wellbeing of our customers and communities. We will also be working with local aid organizations to help our customers.
The need to suspend service stems from a low gas pressure situation on Aquidneck Island. The Company first became aware of the situation at 11 a.m. today. The loss of pressure initially resulted in approximately 360 customers without service in Middletown.
Warming centers have been opened and for those customers desiring lodging, the Company will reimburse room costs.”
