7:30 p.m. -- Immediately following restoration of system pressure, technicians began restoring service to customers in the area north of 4th Street North in Madison this evening after service was lost earlier today during construction to relocate a natural gas main.  

As of 6:30 p.m., service has been restored to approximately 62 customers. Technicians will continue to work through the evening to restore service to all homes affected. It will take time to restore the customers we are not able to connect with today. Customers should not attempt to relight their appliances on their own.

At locations where no one is home or the business is closed, a white flag was placed in the yard and a tag was left on the door notifying the customer that the natural gas has been shut off and to call the company for it to be turned back on. Additionally, someone over 18 years of age is required to be present during the relighting process, so customers can also help by being in the residence today if possible. 

When a technician arrives to restore service, they will turn on the meter and then perform a variety of safety checks on gas appliances indoors, measuring for gas and carbon monoxide to identify any safety issues. 

Customers with questions about restoring service should contact Black Hills Energy at 1-888-890-5554.
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 and our emergency number 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. 
   

MADISON, Neb. — July 13, 2022 -- Black Hills Energy technicians are working to complete a multi-step process to restore service as quickly and safely as possible. To safely facilitate repairs, technicians will first go door-to-door turning off service to 122 impacted natural gas meters. Our technicians will then complete any needed repairs and restore system pressure. Immediately following repairs and restoration of system pressure, technicians will begin relighting residential customers, and technicians will spread across the affected area to complete service restoration efforts.

Black Hills Energy employees from Albion, Columbus Norfolk and surrounding communities are joining the effort to expedite restoration of service to Madison customers. More than 12 technicians are working diligently to complete the restoration process. It will take time to restore the customers we are not able to connect with today, including those homes that are currently unoccupied. Technicians plan to work throughout the evening as needed to restore service to as many customers as possible.