CenterPoint Energy's highest priority is safe and reliable delivery of natural gas. We would like for you to know the facts about natural gas pipeline safety. America's pipeline network is used everyday to transport products such as natural gas to homes, businesses and industrial facilities. According to the National Transportation Safety Board statistics, pipelines are the safest and most economical method of transporting products.

Our commitment to your safety

CenterPoint Energy is committed to the safe and reliable operation of its pipelines in your community. We monitor the operations of our pipelines which are designed, installed, tested, operated and maintained in accordance with all applicable Federal and State requirements. CenterPoint Energy maintains its safety record by routine inspections, corrosion protection, maintenance and testing programs, employee training and public education. Public education includes educational outreach with excavating contractors, emergency response officials, appropriate public officials, and the affected public. You can learn more at the American Gas Association.

How can you tell where a pipeline is located?

Since most pipelines are buried underground, pipeline markers are used to indicate their approximate location along the route. They cannot be relied upon to indicate the exact position of the pipeline. The markers can be found where a pipeline intersects a street, highway or railway.

The markers display the material transported in the line, the name of the pipeline operator, and a telephone number where the operator can be reached in the event of an emergency.

What is in a pipeline?

• Pipelines carry both gaseous and liquid materials under high pressure.
• Many pipelines contain colorless and odorless products.
• Many liquids form gaseous vapor clouds when released into the air.
• Some gases are lighter than air and will rise.
• Other heavier-than-air gases and liquids will stay near the ground and collect in low spots.
• All petroleum gases and liquids are flammable.
• Any pipeline leak can be potentially dangerous.

Pipeline Access & Security

Pipeline right-of-ways must be kept free from structures and other obstructions to provide access to the pipeline for maintenance and in the event of an emergency. If a pipeline crosses your property, please do not plant trees or high shrubs on the right-of-way. Do not dig, build, store or place anything on or near the right-of-ways without first having the pipeline marked and the right-of-ways staked.

Additionally, if you witness suspicious activity on a pipeline right-of-way, please report it to the authorities, or call your local CenterPoint Energy emergency number.

What to do if you smell gas

  If you smell gas, leave the area immediately.

Do not use your phone (including cell phones), electric switches, your computer, or anything that could cause a spark.

INSIDE your home or building:

• Go directly to a safe location, then call 911. Do not use e-mail or the Internet to contact the company about a leak, and never assume someone else has reported the leak.
• Alert your neighbors. CenterPoint Energy checks suspected natural gas leaks at no cost to you.

OUTSIDE your home or building:

• Leave immediately! Do not use electric switches, telephones (including cell phones) or anything that could cause a spark.
• Move in a crosswind direction away from the leak or vapor cloud and maintain a safe distance.
• From a safe area, call 911.
• Warn others to stay away from the leak. Abandon any equipment being used in or near the area.
  

Call 811 before you dig

Be Safe. It's free. It’s the law.

For your safety, you are required by law to call 811 at least 48 hours before you plan to dig so your underground utility lines can be marked. Homeowners and contractors who are going to undertake projects involving excavation or digging must provide at least 48 hours' notice.

The 811 service will connect you with the state one call center, which will alert participating utility companies such as electric, gas, cable and phone about the planned digging so they can mark the appropriate location of their underground lines if necessary. The home owner is responsible for marking your private lines such as invisible pet fences, sprinkler systems, yard lights and gas grill line.

Because natural gas pipelines are underground, it’s critical that you call 811 before you undertake projects involving excavation or digging.  With 48 hour notice, your local utility will come to your home or work site and mark the location of their underground lines using the following color codes: