PSE&G: Know what you’re are digging into

Call before you dig! 1-800-272-1000 or 811

https://nj.pseg.com/outageandgasleaks/ismellgas

Know What You’re Digging Into

The greatest risk to underground natural gas pipelines is accidental damage during excavation. Even minor damage such as a gouge, scape, dent or crease to a pipeline or its coating may cause a leak or failure. To protect pipelines and other underground facilities, the law requires that all excavators contact the New JErsey (NJ) One Call Center three full business days before excavation work begins on public or private property. The NJ One Call Center will contact all the necessary utility companies, including PSE&G so the location of pipelines etc can be marked prior to excavation, result in costly damages and lead to substantial fines.

Using your Senses:

A gas leak is usually recognized by smell, sight or sound.

Smell: Natural gas is colorless and odorless. A distinctive, pungent odor, similar to rotten eggs is added so that you’ll recognize it quickly. Not all transmission lines are odorized.

Sight: You may see a white cloud, mist, fog or bubbles in standing water or blowing dust. You may also see vegetation that appears to be dead or dying for no apparent reason.

Sound: You may hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing or whistling.

What to do if you suspect a gas leak:

*Move to a safe environment

*Call 1-800-880-PSEG (7734) immediately

*Provide the exact location of the excavation site, including cross streets

*Do not smoke or operate electrical switches or appliances in the area. Doing so may produce a spark that could ignite the gas and cause an explosion.

*Do not assume someone else will report the condition.

*Let us know if sewer/underground construction or digging activities are taking place in the area.

Natural Gas: A safe, reliable and popular energy choice.

Natural gas is a clean, convenient and efficient, which makes it the country’s most popular home heating fuel. Almost all of the natural gas consumed in the United States is delivered via a transmission and distribution infrastructure that has an outstanding safety record. More than 2.2. million miles of gas pipelines quietly, reliably and efficiently deliver natural gas everyday for use by residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Ensuring your Safety:

PSE&G works closely with industry and government agencies to ensure the highest levels of service and safety. As new technologies are developed in pipeline design, construction, inspections and operations, PSE&G will continue to invest in distribution integrity programs that will allow for the safe and secure delivery of natural gas. However, despite PSE&G’s excellent safety record, a gas leak caused by damage to a pipeline may pose a hazard and has the potential to ignite. A variety of measures are used to ensure pipeline safety including:

*Coordination with NJ One Call Center (to mark facilities before excavations begin digging)

*Inspection programs

*Design and construction practices

*Workforce qualifications

*Industry safety practices and government oversight

*Pipeline markers and facility mapping

*Public education programs

Helpful Resources:

*Office of Pipeline Safety: phmsa.dot.gov/

*New Jersey Board of Public Utilities: nj.gov/bpu

*NJ One Call Center: mk1-call.org

*Common Ground Alliance:commongroundalliance.com

*Northeast Gas Association: northeastgas.org

*American Gas Association: aga.org

*PSE&G: pseg.com/safety

Emergency Numbers:

*PSE&G Call Center: 1-800-880-PSEG (7734) or 911

*NJ One Call Center: 1-800-272-1000 or 811

https://www.pseg.com/safety

https://nj.pseg.com/outageandgasleaks/ismellgas

Disclaimer: This information comes directly from the billing statement from PSE&G and I give them full credit for the information. Please call the above numbers or check their website for more information.