MidAmerican Energy Safety Alert: Make Sure Your Natural Gas and Electric Meters are Clear of Snow and Ice

DES MOINES, Iowa – (Feb. 2, 2011) – With the large accumulations of ice and snow falling in the past 48 hours, MidAmerican Energy Company reminds customers of the importance of keeping electric and natural gas meters and pressure regulators free of snow and ice.

Accumulations of snow and ice can interrupt your natural gas supply and create an unsafe operating condition. A few precautions can keep your gas supply operating safely and uninterrupted and provide accurate meter reading and billing.

• Customers should avoid plowing or piling snow against meters or gas regulators and vents.
• Use a broom rather than a shovel to clear snow from your meter or gas regulator.
• If your meter or gas regulator becomes encased in ice, do not try to melt or chip the ice. Call MidAmerican for service, 888-427-5632.
• In a safe manner from the ground, carefully remove icicles on the section of your roof or gutter that overhangs the meter. Water dripping on meters or gas regulators can freeze and cover the equipment with ice.
• In addition, you may want to check all venting systems to the outside, including furnace, dryer and water heater vents and chimney flues to ensure they are not blocked. If vents or flues become blocked, carbon monoxide may get into a property and become a dangerous problem.
• For customers whose meters have not been upgraded to automated meter reading, clear a path to your meters. A clear path to the meter will help MidAmerican meter readers stay safe and prevent estimated reads and inaccurate bills.

Source: MidAmerican Energy