BALTIMORE (May 5, 2017) – Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) has been actively working to restore service to several hundred customers in a multi-block radius around Matthew A. Henson Elementary School in West Baltimore affected by a natural gas outage.  The outage was caused by water from an undetermined source infiltrating the gas distribution network beginning Wednesday afternoon. 

BGE gas crews have been working closely with the Baltimore City Department of Public Works to identify the sources of water and stop the leaks. Crews are currently working to remove water from the gas system.   However, until the sources of water have been identified and stopped, water will continue to enter the gas system.

It is critical that customers allow BGE to access their homes and businesses to turn off their gas services so the gas mains can be cleared of water. Once all gas meters are turned off and water is cleared from the lines, BGE can begin to reintroduce natural gas to the gas mains. Then, BGE crews will have to re-enter buildings to restore service to meters and relight customers' gas appliances.

Any customers in the area affected by the outage who have not had their service disconnected by BGE are asked to contact BGE at 1.800.685.0123.  If crews are unable to access a property to turn off the meter, service may be disconnected at the gas main so final restoration can proceed. At this time, there is no estimated time of restoration for all gas service. Crews are working around-the-clock. 

Additional gas contractors and supplementary crews from BGE's Exelon sister-utilities, PECO in Philadelphia and Delmarva Power in Delaware 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.

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