City of Newport Provides Update on Gas Emergency - Schools Reopen, Hundreds Still Without Gas

Monday, January 28, 2019

Nation Grid at the shopping plaza, 181 Bellevue Ave

The City of Newport has issued a comprehensive update on the state of emergency triggered by the gas supply failure which took place a week ago.

“We’re happy to report that operations to restore gas service to Newport’s homes and businesses are beginning to wind down, with the vast majority of customers throughout the City successfully re-lit as of Sunday afternoon,” said the City of Newport in the announcement.

“As a City, we understand how difficult this week has been for both our neighbors and business owners. Please know that we will continue to work to ensure that Newporters are again made whole; that the business community is compensated; and that we obtain a full understanding of what led to this event and the remedies available to the City,” said the city.

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British-owned energy company National Grid said that they had restored gas service to 95 percent of those impacted leaving hundreds still without gas.

The events causing the failure has been in dispute between National Grid and transmission line owner, the Canadian company Enbridge which owns Algonquin Gas.

Developments this weekend

• The Red Cross will be shut down operations at Gaudet Middle School effective at 9 p.m. Sunday evening.

• All Newport Public Schools will re-open as normal on Monday, Jan. 28th, with buses running on their regular schedules.

• City Hall will be open for normal business on Monday

• The Hut at the Newport Recreation Center will also re-open as normal for the week beginning Monday

• National Grid will continue to supply boxed lunches to anyone who needs them beginning at 11:30-12:30 p.m. on Monday at the Middletown Police Department on Valley Road and the Martin Luther King Center on Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd. in Newport.

Restoring Services

For those customers still, without service, The City of Newport says to seek out one of National Grid’s customer resource vans located at one of the sites listed below. Customer Service teams will be on hand to answer questions and coordinate with neighborhood crews to expedite individual gas restoration requests. More than 6,000 households and businesses had their gas turned off. More than 10,000 Newporters were directly impacted.

- Easton’s Beach, 175 Memorial Blvd.
- Storer Park, Gladys Carr Bolhouse Rd.
- Miantonomi Memorial Park, Hillside Ave. at Dexter St.
- Coggeshall Elementary School, 122 Van Zandt Ave.
- Newport City Hall, 43 Broadway
- Cranston-Calvert School, 15 Cranston St.
- Newport Hospital, 20 Powell Ave.
- Braga Park (South end), 60 Ellery Rd.
- Braga Park (North end), 160 Kay St.
- Newport Gateway Center, 23 America’s Cup Ave.
- Bellevue Gardens Shopping Plaza, 181 Bellevue Ave.
- Freebody Park, 22 Freebody St.
- King Park, 67 Wellington Ave.
- Salve Regina University, 167 Webster St.
- Rogers High School, 15 Wickham Rd.

As a reminder, National Grid is encouraging customers to be available at their homes and businesses throughout the day in order to restore service.

Please note that if you’re currently away from your home for an extended period of time, or are otherwise unable to accommodate a service request, a property manager or designated agent may act on your behalf.

If you need help returning to your premises, free transportation is currently available through the Red Cross and RIPTA. Residents may also request assistance through the City's Fire Department by dialing (401) 845-5934.

Once the re-light process is complete, gas technicians will put a sticker on the door to show that the job is completed. National Grid is asking customers to leave that sticker on your door until all of the customers are restored. Crews are expected to continue working throughout the evening hours. If you’re home and willing to receive a visit after hours, please leave a porch or exterior light on in order to signal to crews that you’re open to a knock on the door.

Claims and Unemployment

- Eligible employees affected by the gas outage may apply for expedited unemployment assistance through the Department of Labor and Training's website at www. dlt.ri.gov/ui/UIfaq.htm

- The Newport County Chamber of Commerce is also offering helpful information to business owners in need of securing capital due to the impact of the gas outage. Please direct inquiries to (401) 847-1608

National Grid has committed to covering the costs of reasonable lodging and meals, on a reimbursement basis, as long they are directly related to the current gas event. Customers should keep receipts, complete a claim form found HERE.

Claims representatives are also on hand at the Customer Information Center at Gurney’s Resort, 1 Goat Island.

National Grid asks that you please do not attempt to re-light any appliance on your own. Trained National Grid technicians will re-light everyone that is without service.

Additionally, please be aware that National Grid crews must wear identifying tags and will generally not ask for customer account information

And finally, if you smell gas, please dial 9-1-1 and leave the premises.