Customers encouraged to monitor natural gas meter area

BISMARCK, N.D. – Oct. 7, 2013 – With the recent heavy accumulations of snow, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. is encouraging customers to inspect their natural gas meters to make sure there is not a buildup of snow and ice. Customers are encouraged to clear the snow and ice away from the meter set.

Also, anyone operating snow removal equipment needs to be aware of objects buried under the snow, which can include natural gas meters and risers.

Accumulations of snow and ice can cause the regulator and meter to malfunction and result in a hazardous situation. A buried regulator may become clogged, affecting the supply of gas to the appliances. When melting occurs and the snow becomes wet and heavy, it can put pressure on the meter setting and cause strain on the associated piping. In extreme cases, the possibility exists that the piping could break.

Also, inspect the area around your furnace vent to ensure snow is not blocking the vent.

If you believe damage has occurred around the meter set, please call Montana-Dakota at 800-638-3278 so the problem can be repaired.

Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. distributes natural gas and generates, transmits and distributes electricity and provides related services in the northern Great Plains. The company serves approximately 122,000 electric customers and 239,000 natural gas customers in 262 communities in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. Montana-Dakota is a division of MDU Resources Group, Inc., a multidimensional natural resources enterprise traded on the New York Stock Exchange as “MDU.” For more information about MDU Resources, visit the company’s Web site at www.mdu.com. For more information about Montana-Dakota, visit www.montana-dakota.com.