For Immediate Release

Southern Interior and Okanagan asked to conserve natural gas usage after gas line rupture in northern British Columbia

October 11, 2018

Nelson, BC - Nelson Hydro is advising customers that while we encourage electricity conservation, with the recent Enbridge gas line rupture near Prince George, an exceptional circumstance has emerged.

FortisBC is urging the approximately 300,000 customers in the Okanagan and southeastern British Columbia region to conserve natural gas consumption even though the interior region natural gas comes from Alberta through a pipeline in southern BC.  This will assist as many as 700,000 customers in northern British Columbia, the lower mainland and Vancouver Island that could be directly affected by a gas shortage.

We would like to advise our customers that during the shoulder season until the end of October, we are not at risk of setting a new peak demand and our customers should feel comfortable using electric heat in order to conserve natural gas during the time it takes for FortisBC to work out a solution.

By conserving gas on home heating as a community, we may help ensure it is available for other needs such as hot water and cooking. Minimizing our hot water usage and turning back our thermostats as low as possible, will also help during this time.

If you are increasing use of your electric heat appliances, please ensure they are safe to use by inspecting prior to using and ensuring they are not a fire hazard.

For More Information:

Nelson Hydro Administration at (250) 352-8240 / nelsonhydro@nelson.ca