National Grid Says Phase 1 of Gas Emergency Is Completed, Will Begin Relighting Process
Saturday, January 26, 2019
In a statement issued late on Friday, National Grid Chief Customer Officer Terry Sobolewski announced the completion of the first phase of the gas restoration process, which included shutting off approximately 6,500 gas meters in Newport.
The British energy conglomerate has now initiated the process of reintroducing gas into the affected system. This process is expected to take several hours as National Grid inspects, monitors, and verifies the system’s safety.
The state of emergency has displaced thousands, closed small businesses, shuttered schools and the cause is yet to be determined.
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Following the re-pressurization of the gas system, National Grid will transition into the third and final stage of the restoration process, turning on gas meters and re-lighting customer appliances. National Grid will contact impacted customers with an automated call when crews are ready to enter the field to begin the re-light process. National Grid asks customers to please log into their accounts online at www.nationalgridus.com, or call 1-800-870-1664 as soon as possible to ensure that the company has the most direct means of communications.
This story was first published 1/24/2019 at 4:10 PM.
