To: Editors, News Directors	Date: January 28, 2005
For: Immediate Release

ACC Responds to Southwest Gas Leak

Monitoring Repairs and Restoration of Service

PHOENIX – The Arizona Corporation Commission is responsible for overseeing the safe and reliable operation of public utility service such as the service provided by Southwest Gas.  The Commission also regulated pipeline safety for Southwest Gas.  The Arizona Corporation Commission offers the following question and answer document to help metropolitan Phoenix customers understand the outage resulting from leak discovered on Thursday, January 27, 2005.

Why was it necessary to turn off the natural gas?

Southwest Gas personnel responded to an odor complaint from someone in the area who smelled the tell-tale “rotten egg” odor that is added to natural gas.  Initially, no leak was found.  Upon rechecking the area, technicians found a high concentration of natural gas in the area of 19^th Avenue and Thunderbird.  They notified the Arizona Corporation Commission’s Office of Pipeline Safety, along with police, fire and other authorities, and began efforts to locate the source of the leak. 

Did they find the source of the leak?

Yes.  Southwest Gas and the Commission’s Pipeline Safety Office believe the leak came from a faulty valve on a 4-inch distribution line. 

What caused the leak?

It is too soon to speculate on what caused the valve to fail because further evaluation and testing by an independent laboratory is necessary.  Recent changes to Arizona Corporation Commission rules require utilities like Southwest Gas to select an independent testing laboratory when the cause of a break or leak is not immediately apparent.  Pipeline Safety personnel from the Commission will have to review and approve the selection of the lab and will have input into the testing protocols.

How many people are affected?

Presently just over 10,000 customers are affected.  Because pressure was reduced – but not halted – on one of the distribution lines, Southwest Gas was able to restore service to about 9,000 customers without having to manually re-light each appliance.

Is it common for something like this to happen?

No.  In fact, valve failures of this sort are extremely unusual.  We live in a world where we depend on mechanical devices and we recognize that sometimes those devices fail.  Southwest Gas’ goal – and the Corporation Commission’s goal – is to put safety first and then do everything within our power to minimize the inconvenience or discomfort people are experiencing.

What is Southwest Gas doing to restore service?

To safely restore service at each affected home or business, Southwest Gas employees will be going door-to-door.  The company has briefed the Commissioners on how it plans to accomplish this.  Already, 150 to 200 specially-trained Southwest Gas employees are being brought to Phoenix to assist with the re-lighting effort.  Employees of the company will be going neighborhood-by-neighborhood and working with the news media to provide the best possible advance notice.  City of Mesa Gas Division employees and people from two qualified contractors will also assist.

Please understand that to ensure your safety, a Southwest Gas representative will need to enter your home or business to run a pressure test and re-light your gas appliances.  These appliances may include: heaters, hot water heaters, pool heaters, gas fireplaces and stoves.

Can I do it myself?

Absolutely not.  Please do not attempt to turn your service on yourself.  Special equipment and testing is necessary to ensure the safety of you and your property.

Where will service be restored?

Right now, crews are working to restore service to the areas between I-17 and 7^th Street from Dunlap to Greenway.  This was the first area where service was interrupted.  Southwest Gas will be working with the local news media to keep people informed about where re-lighting is occurring.

How will I know if it’s safe to allow someone into my home or business?

Each person will be carrying an identification card showing their name and company.  City of Mesa and Southwest Gas employees will be in uniforms.  The contractors will also have identification cards.

If you are unsure whether to let someone in, please close and lock your door and either dial the special re-light hotline at 602-861-1999.  If you believe you are in imminent danger, call the police.  Please do not call this re-light hotline number if you have a routine billing question or some other concern.

I have plans for the weekend.  How will I know if they’re working in my area?

Listen to the television or radio news for regular updates.  If you have to leave your home to run errands, consider leaving a phone number where you can be reached on a card near the door.  If you will be traveling out of the area, consider making arrangements for a trusted neighbor or friend to assist you.  If you cannot be reached, Southwest Gas crews will leave a notice at your property with important information about the restoration of your service.