Consumers Energy workers are completing their work to temporarily disconnect natural gas to about 4,500 customers in the Hastings area due to a gas leak. On Friday, they will start relighting pilot lights, with a goal to restore service to most customers by the end of the weekend.
The work in the Hastings area follows a leak on a six-inch steel gas main under the Thornapple River. The leak caused a loss of pressure on the natural gas system that started affecting customers locally on Wednesday night. Crews have since installed a temporary bypass that will allow Consumers Energy to restore natural gas service before making permanent repairs.
“Consumers Energy would like to thank community members who have been understanding and gracious today,” said Christopher Fultz, Consumers Energy’s vice president of natural gas operations. “We have been able to follow our plan that will restore heat to these homes and businesses today, Friday and this weekend, and we are committed to carrying out this job as safely and quickly as possible.”
There’s no indication yet what caused the natural gas leak. Consumers Energy will continue to investigate the situation.
After Consumers Energy workers finish disconnecting homes and businesses, they will then start relighting customers’ pilot lights Friday. Some things to know about that process:
Workers will knock on doors and request permission to enter to relight pilot lights for furnaces and appliances inside. All Consumers Energy workers carry company badges and will gladly show you them if requested.
If a customer is not present, the worker will leave a door tag with instructions to contact Consumers Energy to schedule a time for the relighting to take place.
Customers should not attempt to relight their own pilot lights on their own.
Consumers Energy will first reconnect priority customers that include hospitals, nursing homes and public buildings.
Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
