MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — --
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE,
N.C. — In an
effort to make Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune more energy efficient, building
heating systems are being converted from steam to natural gas.
While the initiative means a smaller
carbon footprint, it also means natural gas lines now run across the
installation.
Elizabeth Smith, a mechanical
engineer with public works division, wants people to understand the inherent
dangers of natural gas.
“There have been two near misses,”
said Smith. “There have been no injuries, and we have been able to get it taken
care of, but there was potential for danger.
“If people don’t know that we have
gas all over the base, then they may not know what to do or how to handle it.”
Piedmont Natural Gas has conducted training
with first responders and emergency services on Camp Lejeune.
Piedmont plans to conduct more
training in April to educate contractors and unit safety and energy management
officers.
According to Joe Heckman with
Piedmont, natural gas can smell like rotten eggs or sound like hissing. Other
indicators of a gas leak can include dead grass around pipes or an unusual
amount of flies.
Smith added that natural gas pipes
are painted in bright yellow.
Anyone who suspects a gas leak in or
near their building should immediately call 911 and evacuate the building. Once
in a safe place, call Piedmont Natural Gas at 1-800-752-7504.
Heckman also said contractors must
dial 811 before digging.
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