PLANNED NATURAL GAS RELEASE TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY

The New York City Office of Emergency Management advises that a planned natural gas release may cause a citrus smell in neighborhoods in upper Manhattan and the Bronx on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

A utility company will conduct a routine, controlled release of a small amount of natural gas from a facility along the Hudson River in upper Manhattan.  The natural gas contains an orange, citrus scent which may be detected by people in the vicinity.   The release is part of routine maintenance and will take place in an open area.

The Department of Environmental Protection will be on scene to monitor the natural gas release.

The planned release of orange scented natural gas should not deter New Yorkers from reporting natural gas leaks, which will continue to have a distinctive rotten egg odor.

Natural gas leaks can be detected by any of the following:

• Smell – a distinctive, strong odor similar to rotten eggs.
• Sight – a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, blowing dust, or vegetation that appears to be dead or dying for no reason.
• Sound – roaring, hissing or whistling from a natural gas source.

If you detect a gas leak, you should:

• Leave immediately and take others with you.
• Call 911.
• If the odor is faint, open windows before leaving.
• If you are outside, leave the area immediately.
• Do not light a match or smoke, turn appliances or lights on or off (including flashlights), use a telephone, or start a car. Doing so can produce sparks that might cause the gas to explode.

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CONTACT:    

Chris Gilbride  (718) 422-4888