Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["Tradingpost" <tradingpost@lobo.net>]

Our rural area has gas lines but we're all electric. So far ...  our third 
nite below zero (record), not too much snow, but we're aware half the country 
is in trouble

paul tradingpost@lobo.net
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http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/New-Mexico-cities-losing-natural-gas-supplies

Cities around New Mexico, most recently Española, lost their natural-gas 
supply. New Mexico Gas Co. reported 2,600 customers are without service there.

Northern New Mexico residents with natural-gas service are being asked to 
keep thermostats as low as possible and to use electric heaters or wood 
stoves as much as possible to ease the pressure on natural gas pipelines.

Taos Mayor Darren Cordova declared a state of emergency for the town due to 
the extreme cold and natural-gas disruptions. Cordova is asking people to 
stay off cell phones except for emergency calls to prevent the system from 
becoming overloaded.

Frigid temperatures are expected to last through Friday. Officials are 
reminding residents to dress in layers and to bring pets inside.

Advice for preventing frozen pipes: Leave a slow drip from the cold-water 
faucet that is furthest away from the water meter.

In Santa Fe, Carla Lopez of the city's public information administration 
staff said that if a city water division crew finds a freeze is on the city's 
side of the water meter, "crews will either change out the water meter or use 
specialized equipment to thaw pipes. If the freeze is on the residents' side, 
the resident will be advised to use a blow dryer to thaw out the pipes and 
never use a torch or open flame of any kind to thaw pipes. An open flame will 
melt plastic pipes and create a fire danger."

Officials also urged residents to check on neighbors and friends, especially 
the elderly, sick or homebound.

City and county of Santa Fe emergency managers are prepared to open a Warming 
Center should natural gas service to Santa Fe residents be disrupted.