After multiple reports of potential natural gas leaks across the city and county Monday, local officials confirmed the cause of the odor was from gas line work in southern Indiana.
Owensboro Times spoke to Natalie Hedde, media contact for Vectren, the gas provider of a majority of southern Indiana, who confirmed the smell that blew through Owensboro originated in Chrisney, Ind.
Vectren was conducting a controlled release of gas along a transmission pipeline in an effort to assist construction. In order to work on the line, Hedde said, the pipe needed to be purged of the gas.
With wind conditions just perfect, the natural gas was moved through southern Indiana and into Owensboro, Hedde said, adding that the same work would be conducted Tuesday.
“If wind conditions are just right again, you could experience the same smell,” Hedde said, adding that she expects the work to be done by mid-morning.
According to Kay Coomes, public affairs manager for Atmos Energy, the company received 135 calls by the end of business Monday with more continuing to come in.
“Vectren did contact us and let us know about tomorrow,” Coomes said. “But if the wind shifts, we may not have any issues. You just never know, but we have extra crews in now and we will be more prepared tomorrow.”
