Safety First: Natural Gas Guidelines You Should Know Before, During and After Severe Weather
ATLANTA – Forecasts call for the 2018 hurricane season to be slightly above average. Therefore, Atlanta Gas Light customers should prepare now to keep themselves and their families safe before any naturally occurring weather event.
Hurricane season, a six- month period that begins June 1 and lasts through November, is typically the time of year when the potential for tropical depressions, tropical storms or hurricanes peaks. This period also can lead to tornados and other related weather emergencies, such as flooding.
Atlanta Gas Light is providing the following recommended guidelines associated with natural gas safety during a weather emergency: Detecting Gas Leaks If customers smell the distinctive rottenegg odor associated with natural gas, they should leave the area immediately and move a safe distance away from the potential leak, while avoiding any action that may cause sparks.
They should never try to identify the source of a leak or stop the leak themselves.
They should avoid using any sources of ignition, such as cell phones, cigarettes, matches, flashlights, electronic devices, motorized vehicles, light switches or landlines, as natural gas can ignite from a spark, possibly causing a fire or explosion.
They should call the Atlanta Gas Light 24- hour emergency response line at 1- 877427- 4321 or 911 once they are out of the area of the suspected leak and in a safe place. They should also stay away until Atlanta Gas Light or emergency personnel indicates it is safe to return. Damage Prevention Strong winds and saturated grounds could cause trees to become uprooted. Before removing downed trees, customers should contact Georgia 811 by calling 811 to have the location of underground utility lines marked, because downed trees could become tangled with the natural gas lines.
If a natural gas meter is damaged or natural gas line is exposed, customers should immediately leave the area and call the Atlanta Gas Light 24- hour emergency response line at 1- 877427- 4321 or 911 from a safe location. Meter Safety Customers are encouraged to know where to locate their natural gas meter.
Following a weather emergency, they should ensure the natural gas meter is visible, and the area surrounding the meter is free of trash and debris. Mechanical equipment used after the storm to clean up a location may damage the meter if it is hidden.
If a natural gas meter is damaged or an underground gas line is exposed, customers should immediately leave the area, and call the Atlanta Gas Light 24- hour emergency response line at 1- 877427- 4321 or 911 from a safe location. Appliance Safety Customers are advised to leave their natural gas service on during a hurricane or severe storm. Most natural gas appliances have safety valves that shut off the flow of gas automatically if the pilot light goes out.
If flooding occurs at a residence or business and the gas appliances are under water, customers are advised not to operate their appliances until a safety inspection is conducted.
Natural Generators
During a power outage, natural gas generators provide continuous fuel supply from an existing natural gas line. While these units are available in a range of sizes to meet various energy needs, customers are encouraged to contact Atlanta Gas Light prior to purchase and installation to determine whether their service line and meter meets load requirements for the generator’s safe and efficient operation.
For information about natural gas safety, visit www. atlantagaslight. com/ safety. Gas
ATLANTA, Ga. — Gas prices in Georgia declined 3 cents last week. The state average of $ 2.79 per gallon is the lowest daily price in 20 days.
Since peaking at $ 2.84 on May 27, gas prices have declined 14 consecutive days for a total of 6 cents. Despite the discount, motorists are still paying 59 cents per gallon more than this time last year.
The most expensive gas price averages in Georgia are in Atlanta ($ 2.84), Athens ($ 2.83), and Gainesville ($ 2.80)
The least expensive gas price averages in Georgia are in Warner Robins ($ 2.66), AugustaAiken ($ 2.66), Dalton ($ 2.66)
“Gas prices could drop another 5 cents this week, unless the market suddenly shifts course,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. “Prices at the pump are still adjusting to the recent drop in oil and wholesale gasoline, due to the potential of increased crude output from OPEC. However, there is still volatility in the market, and pump prices could move higher if OPEC decides against easing production cuts at a meeting later this month.”
Saudi Arabia increased production last month by 100,000 barrels a day, after curtailing output by nearly two years. The Kingdom was part of an agreement with other OPEC and nonOPEC oil producers to reduce output in hopes of raising oil prices. The production cut worked; the oil market tightened and crude prices reached near 4- year highs. However, there are growing concerns that strong demand would soon outpace supplies, and economies will suffer as a result of the higher prices. Because of this, the participants in this agreement are set to reconvene on June 22 to discuss increasing output.
U. S. crude prices settled at $ 65.74 per barrel on Friday - a 7 cent decline from the week before, and $ 6.50 less than this year’s high.