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Natural Gas & Pipeline Safety

Pipeline safety and how to recognize a natural gas leak.

Excess Flow Valve (EFV) Information

Excess Flow Valves (EFVs) are installed on the underground natural gas service line that runs from PSNC Energy system to your meter. An EFV is designed to shut off the flow of natural gas automatically if the service line breaks, lessening the possibility of injury or property damage.

Federal law required the installation of EFVs on new or replacement service lines since 2010. A new federal law now requires that PSNC install an EFV at a mutually agreeable date upon request of a service line customer provided that the load does not exceed 1,000 standard cubic feet per hour and that (1) the service line operates at a pressure of 10 psig or greater throughout the year; (2) PSNC does not have prior experience with contaminants in the gas stream that could interfere with the EFV’s operation or cause loss of service to a customer; (3) an EFV will not interfere with necessary operation and maintenance activities, and (4) an EFV meeting the performance standards in 49 C.F.R. § 192.381 is commercially available.

Customers with an existing service line installed before 2010 who would like to request installation of an EFV or would like to know if their home has an EFV, may call 1-877-776-2427. An EFV is not required for the normal, safe operation of your service line; it is considered an optional safety measure that may help mitigate the consequences of a service line break. While EFVs may help limit the effect of damages to service lines from excavation, the best way to prevent such incidents is to call 811 before doing or allowing excavation work on your property.

Because the EFV is an option, the cost of installation (labor and materials) on an existing service is the customer’s responsibility. If you request an EFV, the cost to have an EFV installed on your existing service generally ranges from $500 to $2,500, which would cover the costs of installation, maintenance, and any future replacement. There may be instances where an EFV cannot be installed. Each situation will be evaluated upon request. For more information, call 1-877-776-2427 or see FAQ.

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Signs of a Gas Leak

Natural gas is non-toxic, colorless, odorless and lighter than air. An odor is added to help you detect a potential gas leak. Signs include:

  • A rotten egg odor.
  • Discolored or dead vegetation over or near the pipeline.
  • A hissing, whistling or roaring sound near a gas appliance or pipeline.
  • Dirt or debris being blown into the air.
  • Persistent bubbles in streams, ponds or wet areas.
  • Flames (if a leak has ignited).

If a leak occurs:

  • Leave the area immediately.
  • Warn others to stay away.
  • From a safe place, call 911, then call PSNC Energy at 1-877-776-2427.

What NOT to do if you suspect a gas leak:

  • Do not try to turn natural gas valves on or off.
  • Do not smoke, use a lighter or strike a match.
  • Do not use any electric switch, telephone or cell phone, garage door opener, or flashlight as they can cause sparks and ignite gas.
  • Do not start or stop nearby vehicles, machinery, or other things that may spark.

Pipeline Safety

Dig Safely

If you are planning to dig on your property, follow these important steps:

  1. Call before you dig. State laws require that before digging, you call NC811 by dialing 811 or visitingNC811.org to have your lines located at least 3 full working days before you begin any excavation work in North Carolina.
  2. Wait. At no cost to you, technicians will mark the location of the utility lines on your property. Once all lines are marked, you can then safely begin your digging project.
  3. Respect the markings for your safety.
  4. Dig with care. If you accidentally hit the pipeline, no matter how minor it may seem, leave the area immediately and from a safe place call 911; then call PSNC Energy at 1-877-776-2427 and .

If a pipeline is located on or near your property:

  • It is illegal to tamper with or remove PSNC Energy's pipeline markers.
  • Permanent structures such as storage buildings, sheds, swimming pools, or bodies of water may not be built within the right-of-way.
  • Trees may not be planted within the right-of-way.
  • Changing the ground elevation by either adding or removing soil from the right-of-way is not permitted.

Pipeline Right-of-Way

PSNC Energy pipelines are located along roadways, private property and in corridors or rights-of-ways that provide access to operate and maintain the system. To prevent others from digging into PSNC Energy pipelines, markers are placed at regular intervals along the pipeline corridors. These markers are visible where pipelines cross roadways, streams, some property lines and various other locations. Pipeline markers may not identify the exact location of the pipeline within the right-of-way. The absence of a pipeline marker does not mean that there is not an underground pipeline. Always call 811 before digging.

Pipeline Inspections

PSNC Energy inspects natural gas pipelines regularly and follows the stringent requirements established by the 2002 Pipeline Safety Improvement Act. These inspections may occur more frequently if the pipeline is located near dense population areas like a city or suburb. There is usually no interruption of service caused by inspection of pipelines. However, if repairs are needed, service customers could be impacted. Property owners will be notified if work is required on their property, and all attempts will be made to minimize service disruptions.

For information on transmission pipelines in your area, visit the National Pipeline Mapping System.