Long Island: Snapshot of natural gas leaks under city streets
Leaked natural gas – mostly methane – is a powerful contributor to climate change.
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Findings
Our study detected approximately one leak for every three miles we drove.
Readings are from May 2017 through November 2018 and may not reflect current leaks, due to repairs or other changes.
Most leaks don’t pose an immediate threat to safety or health, but some can. If you ever smell gas, or have any reason to suspect a problem, experts say to immediately exit the building or area, then call the authorities. For more see the National Grid safety page.
About Long Island's natural gas infrastructure
- Utility: Long Island, New York is serviced by National Grid.
- Pipe materials: National Grid Downstate’s service territory, which includes Long Island, operates over 5,000 miles of pipelines that are made from cast iron or other leak-prone material.
- Progress: National Grid recently proposed an Enhanced High Emitter Methane Detection Program to deploy advanced leak detection to identify and fix large leaks on its system.