Fiery pipeline explosion in B.C. raises possibility of natural gas shortage
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — An explosion and fire in a pipeline that provides natural gas to about 1.5 million customers in British Columbia, Washington state and Oregon has prompted a plea from energy companies to conserve fuel as Indigenous leaders called for assurances of safety.
The blast Tuesday shut down the Enbridge natural gas pipeline about 15 kilometres northeast of Prince George. There were no reports of injuries.
Up to 700,000 natural gas customers in northern B.C., the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island could be directly affected by a potential natural gas shortage, a spokesman for Fortis BC said in Vancouver on Wednesday.
Washington state’s Puget Sound Energy urged its 750,000 natural gas customers to lower their thermostats and limit hot water use.