BALTIMORE (May 6, 2017) – Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) continues to actively restore natural gas service to customers in a multi-block radius around Matthew A. Henson Elementary School in West Baltimore following the infiltration of water into the gas mains from area water pipes on Wednesday afternoon. By Saturday evening, gas service is projected to be restored to about half of the gas mains serving customers in the affected area. Several blocks had already been restored by Friday evening. At least 6,000 gallons of water have been removed from the mains, representing about half of the water in the system with no additional water entering the mains at this time. 

Crews are working around the clock and additional restoration will continue Sunday in areas where the water has collected in lower sections of pipe.  BGE crews are also going door to door in blocks where meters need to be turned off or where service is available to be restored.
Customers can inquire about restoration status for specific properties or request service restoration to homes or businesses in blocks where mains have been restored at 1.800.685.0123.

Critical to the restoration process is the ability to access and turn off indoor gas meters so the mains can be pumped clear of water and gas reintroduced safely.  Customers who have not had their service disconnected by BGE are asked to contact BGE as soon as possible at 1.800.685.0123. BGE has been working closely with the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Mayor’s Offices of Emergency Management and Neighborhoods and the Matthew Henson Community Association on customer outreach efforts.

If crews are unable to access a property to turn off the meter, service may be disconnected from the gas main so final restoration can proceed.

Additional gas contractors and supplementary crews from BGE’s Exelon sister-utilities, PECO and Delmarva Power, are supporting the restoration process so that service is restored as quickly and safely as possible.

The safety of our customers, employees and contractors remains the top priority. As always, customers who smell natural gas or detect escaping gas are asked to get to a safe location and contact BGE immediately at 1.800.685.0123

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BGE, founded in 1816 as the nation's first gas utility, is Maryland's largest natural gas and electric utility. Headquartered in Baltimore, BGE delivers power to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company's approximately 3,200 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. The company also has an estimated annual economic impact of $5 billion of output in its service area, supporting more than 9,500 local jobs and producing $923 million in labor income. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation's leading competitive energy provider. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube  and Flickr.