NEWPORT – National Grid Rhode Island has completed the first phase in its efforts to restore gas service to Newport and began repressurizing the low-pressure gas system Friday.
Officials warned the process to get service restored to Newport could still take a few days. The gas has been shut off for five days, as of Friday.
The second phase of the restoration, repressurizing the lines, is expected to take several hours.
After that, National Grid will begin going customer to customer, relighting appliances. Representatives will be sent to all 19 zones that were affected, the company said. Unlike the shut-off process, in which National Grid had the authority to access properties without permission to shut down the system, the relighting and restoration of service to a customer will require permission and the presence of a customer.
Gov. Gina M. Raimondo thanked National Grid for its efforts to restore service, as well as those that helped customers affected by the gas shutoff.
She also urged residents not to relight their own appliances.
“Safety is the key” said Raimondo. “Don’t try to relight your own pilot; it’s dangerous and not worth it.”
National Grid asked that customers update their contact information and include their cell phone number so they could be reached about having a technician in their home to relight appliances and restore gas service.
The process will require a resident of 18 years or older present during the visit, which was projected to take, on average, 45 minutes.
The state and National Grid coordinated to create a task force to determine high-priority relighting, such as schools and shelters.
National Grid and the R.I. Emergency Management Agency have also warned about reports of scammers, who have been going door to door pretending to be National Grid and asking for customers’ personal information. Representatives said no one should ask for account information unless they have a National Grid identification badge.
Officials also warned residents to call the National Grid emergency number (800-640-1595) or 911 if they smell gas during or after the repressurization.
