SoCal Gas Distributes Letter to Lipton and Stanford Area Residents About Gas Leak, Power Outage

SoCal Gas Company has distributed a letter to local residents around the area of the gas line disruption, informing them of when their electricity and power might be restored. Without committing, it says that "We anticipate that natural gas service may be restored to most homes beginning on Sunday, May 2, and crews will be in the neighborhood to conduct the natural gas service restoration process. Restorations may take until Monday, May 3 to complete."

Gas was disrupted at Noon on Thursday April 29th to a ten square block area after a contractor damaged a 16" underground pipe carrying natural gas. Electric power was also cut to the area for safety reasons. The letter to area residents follows:

• On Thursday, April 29, SoCalGas received reports that a third-party damaged a natural gas main near the intersection of Stanford Street and Lipton Avenue in Santa Monica.

• SoCalGas crews have been on scene working closely with first responders to safely stop the flow of gas and make permanent repairs. Some residents are experiencing natural gas service outages and electric power outages.

• For safety reasons, Santa Monica Fire Department has closed streets near the damaged main. The Fire Department is allowing residents to access their homes on foot.

• The repair process requires SoCalGas to isolate pipelines surrounding the damaged area of the gas line so that no gas is flowing through that area.

WHAT AREA RESIDENTS CAN EXPECT

• Streets in the area will continue to be closed during the repair work, and residents may smell a natural gas odor while crews continue to perform this work.

• Once the flow of gas has been stopped in the pipes surrounding the damaged area, electric service may be restored to the area. SoCalGas will work closely with Santa Monica Fire Department to determine when electric service can be restored safely.

• During the time the flow of gas has been stopped in the pipes surrounding the damaged area, additional natural gas meters to homes in that area must be turned off, and those customers will be temporarily without gas service.

• Customers in the area may experience natural gas outages beginning around midday Saturday, May 1.

• We anticipate that natural gas service may be restored to most homes beginning on Sunday, May 2, and crews

will be in the neighborhood to conduct the natural gas service restoration process. Restorations may take until Monday, May 3 to complete.

SERVICE RESTORATION INFORMATION

• Service restoration includes appliance safety checks of each home and turning each home's meter on.

• During the restoration process, someone at least 18 years old must be present to allow for an in-home safety

check.

• Safety checks usually take less than an hour, depending on the number of natural gas appliances in the home.

• For safety reasons, customers should never attempt to restore natural gas service themselves.

• During service restoration appliance checks, SoCalGas technicians will practice COVID-19-related safety protocols,

such as wearing masks, asking residents four specific health-based questions, and requesting residents move to

another room if needed to maintain a 6-foot distance, per CDC guidelines.

• For the safety of our customers, all SoCalGas employees on company business are required to carry a SoCalGas

photo ID badge. Always ask for identification before letting someone inside your home.

• If you have questions about the service restoration process or about your natural gas service, please call us at

1-877-238-0092.

ADDITIONAL CUSTOMER RESOURCES

Customers seeking specific information about their natural gas service can call SoCalGas at 1-877-238-0092. Public affairs manager Armando Flores is also available to answer any questions you may have and can be reached

at 1-323-470-4744 or aflores10@socalgas.com.

For updates and additional information, visit socalgas.com/SantaMonicaUpdate