Outdoor natural gas fire pit with flames at sunset

benefits of natural gas

Diagram showing the natural gas process from extraction and processing to pipeline distribution and customer use
A blue flame icon.

damage prevention

program

according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's guidelines (192.614)

The CMC Gas "Damage Prevention Program" provides persons planning to dig or excavate in the vicinity of our pipelines with an easy, convenient means of finding where our pipelines are located and assuring safety.

Although excavation is normally associated with commercial type construction, there are also some "excavation" activities carried out by individuals, such as:

  • Planting a tree

  • Putting in hedges

  • Installing a swimming pool

  • Installing a fence

  • Installing an irrigation/sprinkler system

  • Putting in a mail box

  • Installing a deck

  • Pouring concrete

  • Digging a pond

  • Drilling wells

  • Digging drainage ditches

  • Site work/lot clearing

811 Call Before You Dig safety logo with shovel icon

Please notify us if you plan to conduct any "excavation" activities in our service area. This can be done simply by contacting the Alabama One Call Center (811), any local CMC GAS office, or the operations center in Jackson, Alabama. (Telephone numbers are listed below). These numbers should be called 48 hours in advance of the planned excavation activity. Our personnel will determine if your work will affect the pipeline lines and mark any area, which could be affected. There is no cost for this service. The presence of yellow paint or yellow flags in an area of excavation indicates the presence of underground gas facilities.

Please call our 24 hour Gas Control Center at 1-800-449-3338 if you see unusual activity over or around a pipeline facility or if you suspect a Natural Gas leak. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain the safety of the public and preventing damage to our facility.

Please call before you dig!

Bubbles floating in a liquid, appearing as a pattern of small circles on a light background.

RecognizE
gas leakS

A gas leak is usually recognized by smell, sight, or sound.

USING YOUR SENSES

White ear icon inside a blue circle.

You may hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing or whistling.

White outline of a nose inside a blue circular background.

Natural gas is colorless and odorless. A distinctive, pungent odor, similar to rotten eggs, is added so that you'll recognize it quickly. However, not all transmission lines are odorized.

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ABOUT CMC GAS

You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, and bubbles in standing water or blowing dust. You may also see vegetation that appears to be dead or dying for no apparent reason.

safety

tips

CMC Gas is committed to keeping our customers safe. Here are a few tips to give you peace of mind.

What’s that smell?

An unusual smell, petroleum odor, or gaseous odor will sometimes accompany pipeline leaks. Natural Gas is colorless, tasteless and odorless unless commercial odorants are added. Sometime described as a "ROTTEN EGG" smell.

What if I smell gas?

  • DO leave the home, building, or area of the suspected leak, and get to a safe area.

  • DO warn others to stay out of the area.

  • DO call 911 to notify police and fire officials, from a safe location.

  • Do wait for emergency personnel to notify you when it is safe to return.

What should I NOT do if a leak occurs?

  • DO NOT touch, breathe or make contact with the leak.

  • DO NOT light a match, turn light switches on or off, use a cell or home phone, or do anything else to create a spark

  • DO NOT attempt to extinguish any fire.

  • DO NOT attempt to operate any valves.

  • DO NOT enter area until emergency personnel notifies you that it is safe to return.

WHO DO I CALL?

1 (800) 449-3338 or 1 (251) 246-2428
or 911 from a safe location