In sub-zero temperatures, more than a million customers across Wisconsin are being asked to conserve natural gas due to a pipeline disruption
We Energies advised customers to immediately set their thermostats to 62 degrees or lower on Friday evening to prevent a widespread service outage.
Guardian Pipeline informed customers Friday that northbound gas flow on one of its interstate pipelines has been restricted due to unplanned maintenance at a compressor station in Illinois.
We Energies spokesman Brendan Conway said Guardian had cut the utility’s gas supply by 30%.
Conway said the utility is drawing from LNG and propane storage and has halted gas deliveries to business customers whose contracts allow for business disruptions. But because of the extreme cold gripping most of the country, the utility is unable to source gas from other pipeline suppliers.
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A spokesman for the pipeline company said one of two faulty valves was restored Friday night and crews were working on the second to restore capacity “in a timely manner”.
We Energies said it would reassess the situation and update customers on Saturday.
In addition to turning down thermostats, the company is asking residents to avoid secondary gas heaters, stoves, ovens and clothes dryers.
The National Weather Service forecast low temperatures of zero to minus 14 degrees for Wisconsin on Friday evening.
Winter survival tips
As temperatures drop below zero and wind chills drop well below, emergency officials are urging residents to stay safe. The combination of blowing snow and low temperatures also makes traveling particularly treacherous. Here are some tips to weather the storm.
• If possible, stay indoors. Limit time outdoors for pets.
• If you have to go out, dress in several loose layers. Wear a hat, mittens and snow boots. Use a scarf to cover your mouth and face.
• Know the signs and symptoms of hypothermia, including tremors, fatigue, confusion and slurred speech.
• Know the signs and symptoms of frostbite, including redness or pain in any area of ​​the skin.
• Check on friends, family and neighbors. People most likely to be injured by cold include older adults, babies, people who spend a lot of time outdoors such as the homeless and hunters, and people who drink alcohol or use drugs.
• Prepare home and vehicle emergency kits that include blankets, snacks and water, medication, and other essentials. Keep your gas tank at least half full. Visit readywisconsin.wi.gov/make-a-kit for tips on preparing emergency kits.
• Make sure snow does not block the vents of outdoor stoves and hot water heaters, which could lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide inside a home.
If your electricity goes out:
• Lock unused rooms and limit the number of times you open exterior doors.
• Open cabinets to prevent pipes from freezing; During an extended outage, leave a faucet partially open to keep the water moving.
• Never use a stove, oven, grill, or unventilated heater to keep warm, or operate portable generators indoors, as these devices emit carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can be fatal.
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