Xcel Energy Asks Mountain Customers to Conserve Natural Gas

Business Wire, Feb 26, 2006

DENVER -- Xcel Energy today is asking customers in its central and southern mountain service territories to conserve use of natural gas through 10 p.m. MST Saturday, following a natural gas line break near Pagosa Springs, Colo.

Xcel Energy is asking customers in Alamosa, Antonito, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Del Norte, Fraser, Granby, Kremmling, Leadville, Monte Vista, Romeo, Salida, Saguache, Silverthorne and Winter Park to set back thermostats by 3-5 degrees and not use other natural gas appliances.

The company also is asking customers of other natural gas utilities to curtail use, particularly in Buena Vista, Center, Creste Butte and Gunnison.

The natural gas line break does not affect customers along the Front Range or eastern plains -- including the Denver metropolitan area. It also has not affected customers west of Vail and Eagle County to Grand Junction.

Just before 5 a.m. MST Saturday, a five-foot section of a high-pressure natural gas line three miles east of Pagosa Springs was damaged, possibly due to shifting, unstable ground or a landslide. The damage occurred in a remote area, and there were no injuries or other property damage.

Xcel Energy crews are at the site and are working to repair the natural gas line break as quickly as possible. The company hopes to have repairs completed by 8-9 p.m. Saturday.