STATUS UPDATE FOR ONGOING EFFORT TO RESTORE SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS IN MONMOUTH AND OCEAN COUNTIES

(WALL, NJ) – New Jersey Natural Gas today provided the following status updates for our ongoing effort to restore service to 32,000 customers in Ocean and Monmouth counties, which has been interrupted since we made the decision in the wake of Hurricane Sandy to shut down parts of our system, based on the condition of the infrastructure and the safety of life and property.
 
Long Beach Island
Initial main assessment                                                Complete
Initial service assessment                                            Complete
Preparation of above ground facilities for restoration  Ongoing

Bay Head to Seaside
Initial main assessment                                                Complete
Initial service assessment                                            Ongoing
Water infiltration and exposed main inspection            Ongoing
Service restoration plan                                                Ongoing 

Bayshore (Monmouth County)
Initial main assessment                                        Complete
Initial service assessment                                     Ongoing (Sea Bright, Complete)
Restoration of service                                           Ongoing

Coastal (Monmouth County)
Main and service installations                                      Ongoing
Restoration of service                                                  Ongoing

Ocean County Mainland 
Initial service assessment                                            Ongoing
Main and service installations                                      Ongoing
Restoration of service                                                  Ongoing

All customers who have had service interrupted should be advised that when their area’s natural gas service is restored, federal and state safety codes require the following conditions must be met before natural gas service can be safely restored: homes and businesses must have electricity, homes and businesses must be habitable and occupied, and any furnaces, boilers or other appliances exposed to flooding or other storm related damage must be serviced and determined to be safe for use by qualified technicians.

Federal, New Jersey and local safety codes prohibit tampering with natural gas meters and service lines.  Even if natural gas service has not yet been restored to your area, this could significantly hamper efforts to restore service.

If you smell an odor of natural gas, leave the building immediately.  Do not light matches, touch electrical switches or appliances, or use your telephone.  From a safe location, customers should notify us of all gas leaks immediately at 800-GAS-LEAK.