Mid-day update: Black Hills Energy restores natural gas service to 30% of Pea Ridge customers, work continues across city

Fayetteville, Ark. – February 17, 2021 Immediately following the completion of the system pressurization last evening, technicians began relighting residential customers, and today technicians are spread across the city continuing service restoration efforts. Additional Black Hills Energy employees from across Arkansas and surrounding states have joined the effort to expedite restoration of service to Pea Ridge customers. More than 80 technicians are working diligently to complete the restoration process.

As of mid-day, service has been restored to approximately 30% of the affected customers. It will take time to restore the customers we are not able to connect with today and may take several days before all houses, including those that are currently unoccupied, are restored. Customers should not attempt to relight their appliances on their own.

At locations where no one is home or the business is closed, a tag will be 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 or to confirm the identity of our technician should contact Black Hills Energy at 1-888-890-5554. For updates on service restoration efforts, customers can visit blackhillsenergy.com/pea-ridge.

Our technicians will be prepared to safely restore service by wearing appropriate PPE and asking COVID-19 screening questions before entering homes and businesses. Our technicians practice social distancing and closely follow all national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines regarding COVID-19, including wearing masks. Additionally, we ask that our customers also wear a mask while our technicians are in your home. Learn more about our COVID-19 precautions at www.blackhillsenergy.com.

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.