PRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia (AP) — A massive pipeline explosion in British Columbia risks cutting off the flow of Canadian natural gas to Washington State, and companies are urging customers to conserve.
The blast Tuesday shut down the Enbridge natural gas pipeline about 600 miles northeast of Vancouver.
Doug Stout of Fortis BC said Wednesday that 85 percent of the gas his company feeds to homes and businesses is carried by the twinned pipeline that runs from northern British Columbia to the United States border south of Vancouver.
The damaged Enbridge pipeline connects to the Northwest Pipeline system, which feeds Puget Sound Energy in Washington State and Northwest Natural Gas in Portland.
Puget Sound Energy is urging its 750,000 customers to lower their thermostats and limit hot water use at least through Wednesday.