UPDATE: As of 7:54 the issue has been resolved and National Fuel is operating at full capacity. There is no need for customers to adjust their thermostat.
National Fuel is asking residential and small commercial customers in Western New York to turn down the heat until further notice.
According to the company, there is a natural gas distribution issue in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties that make emergency procedures necessary.
The company is asking customers turn their thermostats back by 5 degrees and maintain that temperature until further notice.
National Fuel is also recommending that small, non-residential customers who use natural gas for purposes other than space heating should reduce their natural gas consumption by a minimum of 25 percent.
The company states that it has notified its largest use customers to tell them that a voluntary reduction of gas use is now in effect.
"We believe that this system interruption will be short-lived and that with our customers' full cooperation, we will be able to limit this call for reduced usage," said Carl M. Carlotti, President of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation. "We are continually monitoring the situation and will provide notice when the system is fully operational. System repairs are occurring now to bring it back to full operating potential."
