Update: Dec. 08, 2020 — Black Hills Energy technicians have restored natural gas service today to more than half of Ainsworth. At this hour, approximately 60 percent of homes and businesses are back in service.
Crews worked overnight to relight pilot lights at the hospital, nursing homes, and other critical businesses. Then, at 6:00 a.m., they began going door-to-door as part of the restoration process. They will continue through 10:00 p.m., then resume work again tomorrow at 6:00 a.m.
Technicians have visited every customer in Ainsworth. If service has not been reinstated yet, customers should look for a door tag asking them to contact Black Hills Energy, and technicians will return to relight pilot lights at a time someone will be available to give them access inside. It is extremely important that customers do not attempt to relight pilot lights themselves.
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Update: 10:30 p.m. Dec. 07, 2020 — Black Hills Energy technicians are working to restore service to the city of Ainsworth. On Monday afternoon, natural gas service was lost after an issue at the regulator station which serves the community.
As part of the restoration, technicians checked gas meters at the 644 homes and businesses affected. The next phase is underway. Technicians will work until midnight at the hospital, and other health care centers, to reinstate service. Starting Tuesday at 6:00 a.m., they’ll begin going door-to-door to relight pilot lights. It is extremely important that customers do not attempt to do this themselves.
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 contact the company.
Additionally, to restore service safely, technicians will perform a normal, safe procedure releasing the natural gas from the main. Residents in the area may smell natural gas while the procedure is occurring.
Safety is our number one priority for our customers, the community and our team members. During the COVID-19 pandemic, that includes following all safety guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Customers with questions about restoring service should contact Black Hills Energy at 1-888-890-5554.
Please remember these 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 800-694-8989. 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.
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Black Hills Energy working to restore service to Ainsworth, Nebraska
This afternoon, Black Hills Energy technicians are working to restore natural gas service to the city of Ainsworth following an issue at the regulator station providing service to the community.
To safely facilitate repairs, technicians will go door to door and turn off the approximately 644 gas meters to ensure the safety of the community. After making repairs to the city’s border station and re-pressurizing the system, service will be restored to Ainsworth.
Black Hills Energy technicians will then go door to door to re-light pilot lights. 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 to turn it back on.
It is extremely important that customers do not attempt to re-light their own pilot lights on their furnaces or water heaters. Because safety is our top priority, technicians will follow government guidelines on social distancing and appropriate personal protection equipment.
Residents with questions about restoring service should contact Black Hills Energy at 1-888-890-5554.