Area Avista customers not affected by B.C. gas pipeline explosion

Avista’s natural gas customers in Eastern Washington and North Idaho aren’t affected at this time by Tuesday’s pipeline explosion in British Columbia, company officials said.

The Spokane utility has asked its southern Oregon gas customers to reduce their energy use after Enbridge Inc. reported a pipeline explosion near Prince George, B.C. The pipeline supplies natural gas to utilities in Western Washington and Oregon.

Puget Sound Energy, which serves Western Washington customers, asked customers to reduce their natural gas and electricity use through at least Wednesday morning. PSE suggested customers set their thermostats at lower settings and limit the use of hot water.

The natural gas that Avista uses to supply customers in Eastern Washington and North Idaho comes from other regions – mostly Alberta, with some product from Wyoming and Colorado, said Colette Bottinelli, a company spokeswoman.