February 4, 2009 - —

Clearing snow after a heavy storm is a challenge that can be dangerous, particularly if that snow is piled under power lines.

Snow piles under power lines can bring snow removal machines and workers into close proximity with energized utility equipment. As tempting play areas for children, snow piles could also pose an extreme danger if located near National Grid’s facilities.

National Grid appreciates the good work of municipalities and businesses in clearing roads and parking lots and as this winter’s snow accumulates, we urge everyone to keep safety in mind as they continue their diligent snow removal efforts.

Check outside after a heavy snowfall. Make sure snow does not accumulate around outside vents, preventing exhaust from escaping. Also, heavy snow can put stress on outdoor gas piping and meters—these should be cleared using a broom (not a shovel). Make sure there’s no snow or ice that could fall from above directly onto the pipes or meter. Falling snow and ice can damage the meter as well as the gas line, potentially causing a leak.

When clearing or shoveling snow from rooftops, stay away from overhead electric lines connected to the building. Also, please remember that snow piled on or near ground level utility equipment hampers the ability of National Grid crews to access the equipment and to restore your power following an outage. Please refrain from covering utility equipment such as transformer boxes, meters, etc. when clearing roads, walks, driveways and parking lots.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.