GAS LEAKS ABOUT OVER

September 3, 2006

>>>STERLING GAS LEAKS ABOUT OVER

The gas leak incident in Sterling is about over. The leaks in the system
are moving to Leesburg now.

There have been no reports of injuries from citizens or volunteers.

Crowds of residents and neighbors went out in the streets all day and
into the night.

What a scene as dozens of fire engines drove to different report locations.

God bless the volunteers from Sterling, Ashburn, Fairfax and other
locations.

>>> MOST OF STERLING FREE OF LEAKS

I have below a statement to WTOP radio about the "metering" problem.
Pockets of gas leaks remain but most of Sterling has subsided.

I am being told there is no command center set up. Watch for gas leaks
when you turn on the hot water.

By this afternoon there should be no more reports of gas leaks.

>>> Gas Smell Permeates Northern Va. Neighborhoods (WTOP WEBSITE POSTING)
Sep 3rd - 6:39am

Residents in Sterling, Fairfax and Loudoun Counties had to put up with
the smell of gas for quite awhile over the weekend.

Residents and business owners in parts of Sterling, Ashburn and Western
Fairfax reported smelling gas starting on Saturday afternoon.

A Washington Gas spokeswoman says there they have found only pinhead
leaks in some lines but no big leaks.

An equipment malfunction put too much mercaptan, the additive that gives
natural gas its smell, into the system.

Deputy Fire Chief Scott Culler says no one became sick and there were no
evacuations.

Washington Gas officials say they are working to fix the problem, and
want to hear from anyone who still smells the odor.

Residents or business owners who smell gas should call 703-750-1000.