Key points at a glance
- We Energies crews making progress restoring natural gas service
- Main restoration work expected to last throughout the week
- Customers encouraged to take steps now to be prepared
We Energies crews continue to work quickly and safely to restore natural gas service to customers in the Fox Valley affected by last week’s severe flooding. We Energies expects to restore service to more than 700 customers in Fremont, New London and Shiocton by the end of Thursday, April 22.
As a safety precaution, We Energies temporarily disconnected natural gas service to about 2,400 customers in Fremont, New London and Shiocton last week.
As floodwaters in New London continue to recede, crews are beginning restoration efforts in the city. We Energies is now working to inspect equipment and add natural gas back into portions of the system that was temporarily disconnected last week to keep homes and businesses safe.
We Energies expects crews will be working throughout this week to restore service to all affected customers.
We Energies is bringing in more than 100 field personnel from across Wisconsin to complete the restoration work. The company is working closely with customers, emergency management and local officials to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.
How customers can be prepared to have natural gas service reconnected
Once natural gas is added back into its system, We Energies crews will begin going to each customer’s home or business to turn service back on at the meter. Customers must be available at their home or business for We Energies to safely restore service at the meter. The company is making phone calls and sending text messages to inform customers when we will have crews in their area.
Customers with natural gas appliances exposed to floodwaters must have them inspected by a qualified HVAC contractor. We Energies will restore service at the meter to customers while they wait for a contractor to inspect their appliances.
Once an appliance inspection is completed, the contractor will reintroduce natural gas to the customer’s appliances and relight pilot lights, completing the restoration process. We Energies also will have crews in Fremont, New London and Shiocton to assist customers and contractors with this step. Customers should not try to relight pilot lights themselves.
We Energies crews will reconnect service and relight pilot lights for customers whose appliances were not exposed to floodwater.
How We Energies is restoring service to customers
As floodwaters reach safe levels, We Energies crews are inspecting its system and adding natural gas back into its pipes. After crews verify that natural gas is flowing safely, they will begin turning service back on at customers’ meters.
The significant flooding submerged more than 500 natural gas meters between Fremont, New London and Shiocton. We Energies crews must replace each of these meters so that service can be safely restored to the corresponding customers.
We Energies appreciates its customers’ understanding and patience as it works to restore service to them as soon as it is safe to do so.
Beware of Scammers
We are hearing reports that scammers may be taking advantage of customers affected by the flooding.
Customers should know that we are not charging to reconnect natural gas service.
If you receive a call demanding payment for reconnection after flooding from someone who claims to be from We Energies, hang up and call We Energies at 800-242-9137.
We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service and utility contractors will be working to restore service in and around Fremont, New London and Shiocton, and may need to access to customers’ homes and businesses to restore service.
An employee or contractor will readily prove their identity. An imposter won’t.
- An employee or contractor will wear a photo ID with their name and company logo.
- When in doubt, call us, so we can confirm our employee’s or our contractor’s identity.