Pipeline Safety
What you need to know about Cleco-owned natural gas pipelines
- Cleco provides natural gas to all Cleco power plants through pipelines that may lie in close proximity to your residence, place of business, or land.
- Cleco is committed to safely operating those pipelines and to protecting those who live and work along the company’s pipeline systems.
- These pipelines are operated and maintained under the regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Cleco periodically patrols its pipelines to observe surface conditions and flags its pipelines to prevent damage as required by regulations.
The following could constitute a pipeline emergency:
- A leaking or ruptured pipeline
- A weakened or damaged pipeline
- Gas detected inside or near a building or public area
- Fire or explosion near or directly involving a pipeline or pipeline facility
- Loss of deliver ability to Power Plants
Situations that may cause emergencies include:
- Acts of nature, such as tornadoes, earthquakes, soil erosion, etc…
- Excavation or blasting adjacent to a pipeline or pipeline facility
How to prevent a gas pipeline emergency:
- Pipelines can be damaged from excavation, blasting, drilling, land movement, heavy surface loads, fire or other circumstances.
- Forty-eight hours before you dig or blast near a pipeline, contact Louisiana One-Call at (800) 272-3020. If it is a Cleco pipeline, we will show you the pipeline location and route.
- Markers have been placed at pipeline crossings or public roads, railroads, navigable waterways and other locations on our right-of-ways to mark the presence of underground pipelines.
Signs of a possible gas leak:
- A hissing or roaring sound
- Any strange or unusual odor in the area of the pipeline
- Any dense white cloud or fog
- Frost or ice on the ground
- A spot of dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green area
- Flames occurring if the leak has ignited
- Any sign of blowing dirt
- Persistent bubbles in water
- Fire or explosion
What to do if you suspect a problem:
- Turn off your ignition
- Abandon your equipment
- Leave the area quickly
- Warn others
- Do not smoke
- Do not start automotive or electronic equipment
- Do not create any source of ignition
- Notify Cleco immediately at the phone number listed on the nearby sign.
In case of emergency or to report a damaged or leaking pipeline:
Call the number listed on the posted sign or the appropriate number below.
24 hour emergency numbers
Acadia
(877) 772-7191 Evangeline
(800) 388-1393
Rodemacher
(800) 465-8052 Teche
(866) 862-9482
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