We are committed to providing safe and reliable energy to our members with highly-responsive service consistent with Cooperative principles. In October of 1998, Licking Rural Electrification, Inc. acquired National Gas & Oil Company and its subsidiaries, National Gas & Oil Corp., Producers Gas Sales, NGO Development Corp., NGO Transmission, Inc., and NGO Propane. Energy Cooperative is the trade name used by LRE and its subsidiaries, which operate as separate corporations. 

Purpose: To safely transport natural gas and propane gas.
Reliability: Our natural gas and propane gas pipelines are installed only by qualified professionals and tested for leakage before they become operational.

Awareness of Hazards: Damage to gas piping can cause a fire or explosion.

Prevention Measures Undertaken: Natural gas and propane gas companies are required by law to perform leakage tests on all jurisdictional main lines and service lines before activating them with natural gas or propane gas. Periodic leak surveys are also required as a method to locate and/or repair a leak before it becomes hazardous.

The natural gas transmission, gathering and distribution, and propane pipelines we operate and maintain are mostly not visible to the public. The pipelines are buried below ground in our right-of-ways. The approximate locations of our pipelines are identified by pipeline markers that are placed within the right-of-way. In accordance with federal regulations, our pipelines are patrolled on a regular basis to inspect for any leakage, corrosion problems, encroachment, etc. Some segments along our pipelines have been designated as “high consequence areas.” We have developed supplemental assessments and prevention plans for these highly populated areas that are near our pipelines’ right-of-way.

Natural gas and propane gas pipelines are identified by markers placed at intervals along pipeline right-of-ways. The markers display the name of the owner of the pipeline and display a 24 hour emergency telephone number. The markers are generally placed whenever needed to indicate the presence of a pipeline, such as where a pipeline easement intersects a highway, railroad, creek, or river crossing, and in heavily congested areas. The markers are used to show the approximate location of the pipeline.

Our transmission pipelines are located within four Ohio counties – Licking, Muskingum, Noble, and Perry. The pipelines are a safe and reliable source of moving natural gas within our system. The pipelines are not visible because they are buried within our right-of-ways. The pipelines are patrolled and surveyed on a routine basis for leakage, corrosion, and encroachment problems, etc. To view our transmission pipeline system go to www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov.

Remember the three ways to recognize a natural gas or propane gas leak:

  • SMELL: To help you SMELL a leak from a gas line or appliance, a familiar odor like rotten eggs is added to natural gas and propane gas.
  • SEE: Near a gas leak, you might SEE blowing dirt, bubbling water, or an unusual area of dead vegetation.
  • HEAR: A leaking pipeline might make a hissing sound you can HEAR.

Please note that natural gas transported by gathering pipelines may not be subject to fluid protection, may have varying levels of btu content, and does not have the odorant mercaptin added, although the gas may still have a distinct natural odor.

  • Don’t try to stop or repair the leak yourself or use anything that might create a spark such as a cell phone.
  • Avoid using potential ignition sources such as telephones,
    doorbells, electric switches, or motor vehicles.
  • From a safe distance, call 911. Never try to extinguish a gas fire or operate any pipeline valves. Then contact The Energy Cooperative immediately at 740-344-2102.

Be prepared. Practice safety drills for getting your family out of the house at night before an emergency occurs. Don’t turn lights on or off. 

  • Don’t light matches or cigarette lighters.
  • Don’t use a flashlight during the drill because an electric arc might ignite the gas.
  • Don’t use the telephone or cell phone because an arc might ignite the gas.
  • Plan what you’re going to do and move slowly and carefully.
  • Practice the drill in the daylight first.

Before you break ground at any construction site or begin a project around your home, be sure you have taken the proper measures to achieve the highest level of safety possible. A simple phone call at least two days before starting the excavation work to the Ohio Utilities Protection Services (OUPS) will result in a representative locating buried facilities at your construction site or at your residence. This FREE service can help protect you from personal injury or property damage, and prevents interruption of your Energy Cooperative and other utility services.

  • To contact the Ohio Utilities Protection Service, call 811, or 1-800-362-2764, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • In case of emergency call The Energy Cooperative at 1-800-255-6815.

Questions?

Contact The Energy Cooperative with any questions you have regarding natural gas safety.

Ohio 811

Visit OHIO811 or download the OHIO811 app to local utility lines.