Black Hills Energy responding to suspected natural gas incident
Statement from Black Hills Energy on a natural gas incident in Dubuque
Dubuque, Ia.– October 20, 2020 – Black Hills Energy continues work on Loras Boulevard between Montrose Terrace and Bluff Street. Traffic on Loras Boulevard in this area may be impacted between October 21- October 23 for the safety of those working in the area. Construction noises may be heard during this time.
If any customer smells natural gas, they should leave their home immediately and call 911 and then contact Black Hills Energy’s emergency service line from a neighbor’s home or from a cell phone at 888-890-5554. Don’t use the phone in the house where you smelled gas or turn off any lights or appliances as you leave.
Dubuque, Ia.– October 7, 2020 – Black Hills Energy is completing work on the natural gas main on Loras Boulevard between Montrose Terrace and Bluff Street. Work is necessary to restore service to customers in the area. Black Hills Energy anticipates that service will be restored by the first half of next week. Once natural gas is restored additional concrete work will begin.
If any customer smells natural gas, they should leave their home immediately and call 911 and then contact Black Hills Energy’s emergency service line from a neighbor’s home or from a cell phone at 800-694-8989. Don’t use the phone in the house where you smelled gas or turn off any lights or appliances as you leave.
Dubuque, IA – Sept. 29, 2020 - Black Hills Energy technicians continue to respond to the natural gas incident that occurred on Monday on Loras Boulevard.
We appreciate the public and the media’s patience in waiting for additional information while the incident investigation is being conducted. Although the investigation is not complete, the following is some additional information in response to questions that have been raised since the incident:
What happened?
4:21 p.m. - Black Hills Energy was notified by 911 dispatchers of a damaged gas line in the 500 block of Loras Boulevard.
4:27 p.m. - Technicians were dispatched by Black Hills Energy to respond to a report of a damaged natural gas line.
4:44 p.m. - Technicians arrived on scene and began a leak investigation. The initial investigation quickly determined the damaged natural gas line was the source of the leak and technicians began working to secure the damaged line.
Technicians were on the scene when the explosion occurred in a nearby home and immediately activated Black Hills Energy’s emergency response plan.
What caused the explosion?
A thorough investigation is being conducted and Black Hills Energy is working with natural gas experts and all appropriate agencies to determine the cause of this tragedy.
Were Black Hills Energy team members hurt or missing?
All Black Hills Energy team members were accounted for and some team members were being evaluated for possible injuries. One Black Hills Energy vehicle was damaged.
Has gas service been restored?
There are 37 Black Hills Energy customers without service while experts assess each structure in the area to determine if gas service can be turned on.
How do we know the area is safe?
Natural gas service was shut off and isolated as a safety precaution on a portion of Loras Boulevard between Bluff Street and Cornell Street. Black Hills Energy completed monitoring the system for leaks Monday evening in the area of Loras Boulevard from Bluff Street to Henion Street.
Were there any other gas leak reports in the area?
Black Hills Energy received eight additional reports of natural gas odor in the area.
Technicians responded to all reports of natural gas odor and performed thorough leak investigations, determining there were no natural gas leaks at these locations. These reports were attributed to the previously reported damaged natural gas line.
What should someone do if they smell natural gas?
- Be alert for leaking natural gas. If you smell natural gas, leave the building or area immediately and tell others to leave too.
- After you’re safely away from the area, call 911 or Black Hills Energy at 888-890-5554. Never assume someone else has reported a natural gas leak. Alert your neighbors.
- Do not turn on lights, ignite a flame, use a cell phone or use anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or a generator.
- Never attempt to repair a natural gas leak, and do not attempt to turn natural gas valves on or off.
Updates on service restoration will be sent to local media in coordination with the City of Dubuque can also obtain information on blackhillsenergy.com, facebook and twitter @bhenergy or by calling 888-890-5554
The American Red Cross of Eastern Iowa is providing assistance to residents and can be reached at 1-877-272-7337.
Dubuque, Iowa. - Sept. 28, 2020 - Black Hills Energy responded to a report of a damaged gas line causing a gas leak near the intersection of Loras Boulevard and Montrose Terrace on Monday evening. Technicians were on the scene of the gas leak when an explosion occurred in a nearby home and immediately activated Black Hills Energy’s emergency response plan.
“The safety of our customers, employees and communities is our highest priority and there are no reported injuries to customers or our team members at this time,” Shirley Welte, vice president of Iowa natural gas operations. “Our highly trained technicians are working cooperatively with first responders to assess the scene and have secured the natural gas system serving the location.”
A thorough investigation will be conducted, and Black Hills Energy will work with all appropriate agencies to determine the cause of this incident.
Please remember the following safety tips:
- Be alert for leaking natural gas. If you smell natural gas, leave the building or area immediately and tell others to leave too.
- After you’re safely away from the area, call 911 or Black Hills Energy. Never assume someone else has reported a natural gas leak. Alert your neighbors.
- Do not turn on lights, ignite a flame, use a cell phone or use anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or a generator.
- Never attempt to repair a natural gas leak, and do not attempt to turn natural gas valves on or off.
Customers can also obtain information on blackhillsenergy.com, facebook and twitter @bhenergy or by calling 888-890-5554
