Gov declares state of emergency due to gas shortage, cold
Gov. Susana Martinez declared a state of emergency Thursday afternoon due to record-breaking cold and shortages in natural gas throughout the state. Towns and cities throughout the state have been without natural gas including Taos, Questa and portions of Santa Fe.
Martinez also announced that the heat would be turned down in all state buildings and sent all non-essential employees home to save natural gas and electricity.
The New Mexico Gas Company issued a press release at noon which said, “Due to rolling black outs in West Texas and other problems, the delivery of natural gas into New Mexico has been impeded. States in the southwest are experiencing similar issues.”
Las Cruces suffered rolling electrical blackouts yesterday and El Paso Electric warned that it could happen again today. The company urged residents to conserve to put less strain on the system.
“Do not use appliances such as the washing machine, dishwasher, or electric clothes dryer,” a statement issued by El Paso Electric said. “Turn off extra lights, electric water heater and other electric appliances that you do not absolutely need. Minimize the use of your electric range or oven when preparing meals.”
http://newmexicoindependent.com/68766/gov-declares-state-of-emergency-due-to-gas-shortage-cold
El Paso shortage:
EL PASO, Texas -- Texas Gas Service is continuing to experience natural gas pressure challenges in certain neighborhoods due to low pressure in pipes associated with the weather events.
The company is asking for voluntary closures of commercial facilities that have a high volume of gas usage in an effort to be able to service residential customers.
If you experienced a natural gas outage do not attempt to turn on the gas meter on your own. Texas Gas Service crews are aware of meters that have been turned off and will respond as necessary to restore service.
When the gas comes back on residents must ensure that the pilot lights are re-lit to prevent accumulation of natural gas. Residents should also check the pilot lights on the stoves, heaters, water heaters and any other natural gas appliance.
http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/26736292/detail.html
Shortage in Tucson:
TUCSON - Southwest Gas is working to restore service to about 14,000 Southwest Gas customers out of luck Thursday due to the unseasonably cold weather.
Southwest Gas customers in the Rita Ranch and eastern foothills areas of Tucson are experiencing a natural gas outage.
Because of the bitter cold, demand is unusually high for the time of year, which has placed record demands on the interstate pipeline system.
Southwest is asking its other customers to moderate their thermostat level to help increase supply. Residents are also asked not to use natural gas logs or gaslights, and limit hot water usage.
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/weather/natural-gas-outage-tucson-2-3-2011
Shortage in California:
Calif. utility told to cut gas pipeline pressures
SAN FRANCISCO – California regulators have ordered Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to lower the pressure on some natural gas pipelines in heavily populated areas to 20 percent below their maximum thresholds.
The California Public Utilities Commission directed PG&E on Wednesday to drop the pressure on pipelines located in the Central Valley, Santa Clara County and the Santa Cruz County coast. The order stemmed from its investigation into the Sept. 9 explosion in San Bruno that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes.
PG&E said late Wednesday that it already has started lowering pressure on the lines below their maximum allowable operating
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110203/ap_on_re_us/us_pipeline_explosion_3
Futures up, speculation of inventory deficit:
Natural gas futures advanced for a second day in New York on speculation that a larger-than-normal reduction in gas stockpiles may leave a deficit of the fuel in storage compared with the five-year average for the first time in a year.
Gas climbed as much as 1.4 percent as the Energy Department today may report a withdrawal from inventories of 187 billion cubic feet for the week ended Jan. 28. The five-year average drop is 165 billion. The decline would need to exceed 194 billion to leave stockpiles below average for the week, based on department data.
“Like last week, we’re seeing prices rally ahead of the storage number,” said Matt Smith, an analyst with Summit Energy in Louisville, Kentucky. “The number may shift us into a deficit over the five-year average.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-03/natural-gas-futures-gain-in-new-york-on-speculation-of-inventory-deficit.html
So this seems out of the blue.. I've never heard of peak nat gas.. I thought we had so much nat gas it's supposedly the next green fuel for vehicles -- buses, trucks, cars.
So what gives?
