WESTFIELD – As easperated New Englanders brace for another major snowstorm, gas and electric companies are asking residents to be mindful of their properties, clearing off roofs and eaves of snow and icicles so as not to damage natural gas meters, which can cause ruptures in the gas line and result in serious gas leaks.
In addition, companies such as Columbia Gas and Westfield Gas and Electric are urging customers to keep their home exhaust vents clear of snow and ice as well to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from occurring inside.
“The safety and comfort of our customers and communities is our number one priority,” said Steve Bryant, president of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. “We ask that you be diligent in removing snow and ice from above and around your natural gas meter, keep your appliance vents clear and your gas meter accessible.”
“With record snowfall over the past month and continuing in the next couple days, this winter season continues to be a challenge for us all,” said Bryant.
Westfield Gas and Electric Superintendent Aaron Bean said that customers clearing paths to their meters is helpful in addition to cleaning them off.
“Don’t use any hard instruments like a shovel when clearing snow off your meter – use a snow brush,” he said. “In case our servicemen are called to go to a house, clear an easy path so they can get to the meter. The quicker we can get to those devices, the quicker we can handle any issues.”
Bean said he hasn’t heard of any meters being damaged by the elements and that the WG&E has been sending crews out to help with shoveling out some meters as well.
In the event of a gas leak, Bean said that customers will be able to smell it thanks to a chemical called mercaptan that the WG&E adds to make the normally odorless natural gas detectable and should call the WG&E’s 24 hour dispatch line at (413) 572-0000.
“It smells like rotten eggs and if someone suspects there might be a gas leak, they should call the number and we’ll send somebody out to investigate immediately,” he said.
