Smell natural gas? Get out fast! Piedmont Natural Gas reminds customers and communities how to identify a natural gas leak

Rhea-AI Summary

Piedmont Natural Gas, a Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) subsidiary, is raising awareness about natural gas leak safety as more homes use gas heating during fall and winter. The company injects mercaptan into natural gas to give it a distinctive rotten egg smell, making leaks easily detectable. Signs of a leak include bubbling water, blowing dirt, dead plants, sinkholes, exposed pipe, and hissing sounds. If a leak is suspected, residents should leave immediately and call Piedmont (800.752.7504) or 911 from a safe location. The company also recommends installing natural gas detectors as an additional safety measure.

Positive

• Serves over 1.2 million customers across three states (NC, SC, TN)
• Proactive safety education and awareness campaign for customers

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

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-0.51% News Effect

On the day this news was published, DUK declined 0.51%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

• Piedmont Natural Gas is reminding customers if they smell natural gas, get out fast!
• An odorant called mercaptan is injected into natural gas, giving it a smell like rotten eggs so it is easy to detect.
• Video: Learn how mercaptan works.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With more homes and businesses using natural gas for heat during the fall and winter months, Piedmont Natural Gas is encouraging customers and communities to learn the signs of a natural gas leak.

"Natural gas leaks can be managed quickly and safely if you know what to look for," said Brian Weisker, president of Piedmont Natural Gas. "We are committed to educating our customers on how to identify a natural gas leak and how to react if they suspect there is a leak."

Train your nose
Natural gas by itself has no smell. An odorant called mercaptan is injected into natural gas, giving it the distinctive smell of rotten eggs. The odor makes natural gas easy to detect and can alert the public of a natural gas leak to help avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

"It's important to train your nose to recognize the odor of mercaptan," added Weisker. "Foul odors like rotten eggs serve as a warning that something is wrong, and knowing the warning signs is the best way to ensure the safety of our customers and communities if a natural gas leak occurs." 

Look and listen  
In addition to having a distinct smell, natural gas leaks often are visual, causing bubbling water, blowing dirt or dead plants. You also may see sinkholes or exposed pipe. It's also possible to hear a hissing sound near a natural gas line or meter.

Steps to take if you suspect a leak
If you detect a natural gas odor, follow these steps:

• Leave the area immediately.
• Call Piedmont at 800.752.7504 or call 911 from a neighbor's house or somewhere away from the smell of natural gas.
• Do not return to the location of the leak until a Piedmont technician or emergency responder informs you the area is safe.

Another layer of natural gas safety
Installing a natural gas detector is an additional safety measure to keep residents aware of potential leaks. A natural gas detector will sound an alarm if levels of natural gas in the area indicate a leak.

If the alarm is triggered, stop what you are doing, get as far away from the smell as possible and call 911, or call Piedmont at 800.752.7504. 

For additional information about natural gas safety, visit the Piedmont Natural Gas website. 

Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), distributes natural gas to more than 1.2 million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. More information: piedmontng.com. Follow Piedmont Natural Gas: X, Facebook. 

Piedmont Natural Gas
Media line: 877.348.3612

 

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SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas

FAQ

What should you do if you smell natural gas according to Piedmont Natural Gas (DUK)?

If you smell natural gas, leave the area immediately and call Piedmont at 800.752.7504 or 911 from a safe location. Do not return until a Piedmont technician or emergency responder confirms the area is safe.

What are the signs of a natural gas leak according to Piedmont Natural Gas (DUK)?

Signs include a rotten egg smell (from mercaptan), bubbling water, blowing dirt, dead plants, sinkholes, exposed pipe, and hissing sounds near gas lines or meters.

How does Piedmont Natural Gas (DUK) make natural gas detectable?

Piedmont Natural Gas adds mercaptan, an odorant that gives natural gas a distinctive rotten egg smell, making it easily detectable since natural gas itself has no odor.

What additional safety measure does Piedmont Natural Gas (DUK) recommend for detecting leaks?

Piedmont Natural Gas recommends installing a natural gas detector as an additional safety measure, which will sound an alarm if gas levels indicate a leak.