For more information contact:
Media Pager (Minnesota)
(612) 538-1234  
Rolf Lund
(612) 321-4879
Patty Pederson 
(612) 321-4609

Minneapolis, Minn. - Sept. 14, 2006 - Everyday, pipelines in Minnesota transport products such as natural gas to thousands of consumers. New federal regulations require operators of these pipelines to educate the public, emergency officials, public officials, and excavators about various aspects of pipeline safety.  CenterPoint Energy is committed to the safe operation of its pipelines and to educating its customers and others about how to be safe around natural gas pipelines.

The natural gas pipeline network in Minnesota includes tens of thousands of miles of transmission and distribution pipelines. Over one million customers in hundreds of communities rely on this network to heat their homes and fuel their businesses. Natural gas pipelines are present in nearly every Minnesota community in some capacity. According to the federal government, pipelines are the safest and most economical method of transporting natural gas. At CenterPoint Energy, we monitor the operations of our pipelines, which are designed, installed, tested, operated and maintained in accordance with all applicable government requirements. Our safety record is maintained through routine inspections, corrosion protection, maintenance and testing programs, employee training, and public education.

Pipeline locations: Transmission pipelines, which transport large volumes of high-pressure natural gas between communities, are buried underground.  Pipeline markers are used to indicate their approximate location along a route. These markers can be found where pipelines intersect a street, highway, or railway, and indicate the material transported in the pipelines, the name of the pipeline operators and emergency telephone numbers. Markers indicate the general location of pipelines only. They do not indicate pipelines exact positions and depths, and pipelines may not follow a straight course between markers.  Distribution pipelines, which transport natural gas within communities and directly to consumers, are also buried underground but are not located with pipeline markers.

Pipeline access and security: Transmission pipeline rights-of-way must be kept free from structures and other obstructions to provide access to the pipeline for maintenance and emergency response. If a transmission pipeline crosses your property, do not plant trees or high shrubs in the rights-of-way. Do not dig, build, store or place anything on or near the right-of-way without having the pipeline marked and the right-of way staked. Additionally, if you witness suspicious activity on a pipeline right-of-way, report it to the authorities, or call the CenterPoint Energy emergency number.

If you do excavation work: If you are a homeowner or farmer who occasionally digs on your property, we need your help in preventing pipeline emergencies. Records show that damage from excavation-related activities, particularly from equipment digging into pipelines, is the leading cause of pipeline accidents. Without proper coordination, excavation activities in the vicinity of underground pipelines can result in dangerous situations.

Call before you dig – It’s the law: To determine if there are pipelines in the area where excavation is planned, look for pipeline markers at nearby roads, railroads and fences. Don’t try to guess the route or location of the pipeline from where the markers are placed. You must call Gopher State One Call (GSOC) at least 48 hours before you dig. Calling first protects your safety and helps prevent disruption of services. To contact GCOC, call (651) 454-0002 or 1-800-252-1166. or go to www.gopherstateonecall.org. Even if you cause what seems to be only minor damage to the pipeline, notify CenterPoint Energy immediately. A gouge, scrape, dent or crease to the pipe or coating may cause a future break or leak.  It is important that we inspect and repair any damage.

A pipeline emergency could be: 

• A damaged pipeline 
• Fire or explosion near or directly involving a pipeline or pipeline facility
• A natural disaster affecting the pipeline, such as earthquake, flood or soil erosion
• A leaking pipeline

How to recognize a pipeline emergency:

• Look…for persistent bubbling in standing water or discolored vegetation. A pool of liquid on the ground, a dense white cloud or fog, a slight mist of ice, or unexplained frozen ground near the pipeline are also signs of a possible leak. 
• Listen…for any unusual noise like a hissing or roaring sound.
• Smell…a strange or unusual odor like rotten eggs (if odorant has been added).

CenterPoint Energy’s actions during a pipeline emergency: CenterPoint Energy will immediately dispatch personnel to the site to help handle the emergency and provide information to public safety officials to aid in their response. We will also take the necessary operating actions to minimize the impact of the emergency. We have hundreds of trained employees to respond to any incident in our service area.

What to do in a pipeline emergency:

• Leave immediately.  Return only when given permission by authorities.
• Go immediately to a safe location and call the CenterPoint Energy - Emergency Service/Gas Leak Hotline: (612) 372-5050 or 1-800-722-9326; and call 911.
• Alert your neighbors.
• Leave all repairs to properly equipped and trained utility technicians.
• Do not use electric switches, phones, or anything that could cause a spark.
• Do not assume someone else has reported the leak.
• Do not try to repair a gas leak.  
• Do not create any sparks or heat sources which could ignite escaping gas or liquids. 
• Do not use a cell phone while near the suspected emergency area. 
• Do not drive into or near a leak or vapor cloud. 
• Do not go into a leak or vapor cloud to turn off equipment.

For more information on pipeline safety, visit www.CenterPointEnergy.com/besafe.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, and pipeline and field services operations.  The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total approximately $16 billion.  With about 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years.    In Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy is the state’s largest natural gas distribution company, serving more than 778,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 240 communities.  Home Service Plus®, the company’s non-regulated business in Minnesota, offers products and services in the categories of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and appliance repair,