Consumers Energy has nearly finished restoring natural gas service to all 4,500 customers in the Hastings and Nashville areas who had been without service since last Wednesday evening after a gas main beneath the Thornapple River failed.

 

Consumers Energy says all customers have either had their gas reconnected and pilot lights relit, or were left instructions for scheduling a time to be reconnected by Consumers.

 

Crews worked all of Thursday and Friday to disconnect gas at the meters to all customers in the affected area while a temporary bypass was constructed. That was followed by the massive re-connection process throughout the Easter weekend and on Monday. Consumers brought in 60 to 70 crews from all over the state to help in the effort.

 

Greg Moore, Community Affairs Manager for Consumers Energy spoke to the Hastings Rotary Club on Monday and called this gas emergency one of the worst natural gas crises in the company's history. Moore said a new permanent gas transmission line has already been bored beneath the Thornapple River and is being pressure tested.  He expressed Consumers' appreciation for the patience and support of the community.