City of Somerset, Kentucky

The Spirit of Southern Kentucky

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Gas

Administrative Office: Somerset Energy Center, 306 E. Mt. Vernon St., Somerset, KY 42501

Office Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

Phone: 606.678.4466

Email: bneely@cityofsomerset.com

Questions about your bill?

Contact Somerset Utilities or visit your account online.

Tap Fees & Gas Rates

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IF YOU THINK YOU SMELL GAS CALL 606-678-4466 OR 911 

The Somerset Gas service is owned and operated by the City of Somerset and offers service to industrial, commercial and distribution customers along the pipeline.

Somerset Gas service includes the local natural gas distribution system as well as about 155 miles of 8″ transmission line that runs through Leslie, Clay, Laurel, Pulaski, and Casey counties. The line begins 18 miles east of Hyden, KY and ends approximately 20 miles west of Liberty, KY. This transmission line is designed to transport 12,000 MCF per day.

Call 811 Before You Dig

If you receive natural gas service, you likely have underground natural gas lines at your place of residence or business. Damage to natural gas lines from excavation work can lead to explosion or fire, and can cause property damage, serious injuries or death.

Beginning July 14, 2018, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (“PSC”) will begin investigating instances of excavation damage to underground natural gas pipelines to determine whether the pipeline was properly located prior to excavation. Under changes to the Underground Facility Damage Prevention Act of 1994 (the “Act”), which take effect on July 14, 2018, the PSC will have the authority to levy fines for failing to comply with the requirements of the Kentucky statute related to protection of underground utilities.

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Key requirements of the Act (KRS 367.4901 to KRS 367.4917) include:

  • Excavators, including property owners working on their own property, must call the 811 one-call center at least two working days prior to the start of excavation. IF YOU FAIL TO CALL 811 AND THEN DAMAGE A NATURAL GAS LINE, YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO A PENALTY.
  • The requirement for property owners and/or contractors to contact 811 prior to digging applies to all excavation or digging by mechanized equipment or by hand, and includes all types of excavations, commercial and residential.
  • Each utility operator will generally respond to locate the utility within two working days, excluding weekends, from the time the 811 notification is made.
  • Penalties for violating the statute are up to $1,250 for the first violation, $2,000 for a second violation, and $4,000 for subsequent violations.

CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG AND MAKE SURE THAT ANYONE DOING EXCAVATION ON YOUR BEHALF CALLS 811 TWO WORKING DAYS BEFORE THEY START.

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Did you know?

As a Somerset Gas Service customer, you have the right to request the installation of an Excess Flow Valve (EFV), a safety device designed to shut off the flow of natural gas automatically if a service line breaks.

Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 192, the City of Somerset is hereby notifying all natural gas customers of their right to request the installation of an Excess Flow Valve (EFV) on existing natural gas service lines. An EFV is a safety device that is installed on natural gas distribution lines. EFV devices are designed to shut off the flow of natural gas automatically if a service line breaks. Therefore, there are potential safety benefits derived from installing an EFV on a service line. If a service line customer makes a request under the above-referenced regulation, and the customer’s line is eligible for the installation of an EFV per the regulation, the costs associated with the initial installation, including the cost of the EFV device itself, will be the responsibility of the City of Somerset. However, customers requesting the installation of an EFV should be aware that costs for maintaining and replacing an EFV will be incurred by the customer. When an eligible customer requests an EFV be installed, the City will make every effort to determine potential future costs regarding maintenance or replacement of the EFV to the fullest extent possible.    

For more information on whether your service line qualifies for installation of an EFV under current safety regulations, please contact our Natural Gas Department at 606-679-6366. 

Although gas service technicians may not do the actual testing, they are responsible for supervising and setting the limits for this testing by plumbers and other installers. If existing piping or appliance are found to have an issue during an investigation, Somerset Gas may require replacement or testing of issue found.

Among the kinds of tests which are performed on house piping, that is, piping from the meter to the appliance, are:

1. Testing new or partially low pressure house piping

Standard Operating Procedure

Effective Date: REVISES 5/23/91

AUTHORITY: SOMERSET GAS SERVICE

SUBJECT: TESTING PROCEDURES

Testing Procedure for low pressure house piping

Testing Procedures For New or Partially Replace Low Pressure Piping

According to the National Fuel Gas Code Z 223.1 the following procedures should be observed when testing new or partially replace house piping with an operating pressure below 1 pound. (Base pressure measured to a customer is usually below ½ pound.)

  1. Close all manual shutoff valves ahead of appliances, or disconnect and cap outlet.
  2. Connect the testing instrument to the inlet of the piping (see Fig. 1) to be tested. Acceptable testing instruments include a properly calibrated gauge, a mercury manometer, or a slope gauge which will read in increments of not greater than one-tenth pound.
  3. Using air, pressurize the house line to at least 6.0 inches mercury or 3.0 pounds gauge pressure. The piping may also be filled with fuel gas or inert gas but with NO OTHER gas or liquid. OXYGEN SHALL NEVER BE USED!
  4. The source of pressure shall be isolated before pressure observations are made.
  5. This test shall be maintained for a minimum of 10 minutes with no drop in pressure.
  6. Loosen gauge and reduce pressure to “zero” on the piping.
  7. Open shutoff values to all connected appliance.
  8. Turn off all pilot and main burner values (see note) on appliances. NOTE: If pilot or main burner valves are not part of the appliance, then proceed with soap testing of the section of the house piping from the shut off valve to the appliance under system operating pressure.
  9. Close gauge opening and pressurize the house piping to not less than 10.0 inches nor more than 14.0 inches water column.
  10. The source of pressure shall be isolated before pressure observations are made.
  11. Maintain this pressure for a minimum of 10 minutes without showing any drop I pressure. This pressure shall be measured by an acceptable test instrument described in Step 2.
  12. Remove pressure and test instrument from piping.
  13. Reconnect all piping and the meter.
  14. When meter is installed and gas pressure applied, test all exposed joints on meter setting with a soap-and -water or leak-detecting solution. NEVER USE AN OPEN FLAME.
  15. Purge piping of any possible air. Note: DO NOT PURGE INTO ANY CLOSED AREA OR COMBUSTION CHAMBER.
  16. Record test results for verification on company ticket or work order.
  17. Handle any leak in accordance with company policy and procedures.
  18. Repeat tests when leaks have been repaired.
2. Testing existing low pressure house piping

Standard Operating Procedure

Effective Date: REVISES 5/23/91

AUTHORITY: SOMERSET GAS SERVICE

SUBJECT: TESTING PROCEDURES

Testing Procedure for low pressure house piping

Testing Procedures For Existing Low Pressure House Piping

The following procedures should be observed when testing existing low pressure house piping with an operating pressure below 1 pound.

  1. Remove meter from the meter loop.
  2. Connect the test instrument to the inlet of the piping to be tested.
  3. Turn off all pilot and main burner valves on appliances. Cap all outlets.
  4. Close gauge opening and pressurize the house piping to not less than 10.0 inches water column nor more than 14.0 inches water column.
  5. The source of pressure shall be isolated before pressure observations are made.
  6. Maintain this pressure for a minimum of ten minutes without showing any drop in pressure. This pressure shall be measured by the proper test instrument.
  7. Remove pressure from piping and remove test instrument.
  8. When meter is installed and gas pressure applied, soap all exposed joints with a soap and water solution. (NEVER USE AN OPEN FLAME.)
  9. Test results must be recorded for verification.
  10. Any leak shall be handled in accordance with your companies policy and procedure and test repeated.

Tap Fees & Gas Rates

Tap Fee

In City:
Residential under 450,000 btu – $350
Residential 450,000 btu and above – $800
Commercial under 1,600,000 btu – $1,100
Commercial 1,600,000 btu and above – $1,750

Non-City:
Residential under 450,000 btu – $550
Residential 450,000 btu and above – $1,000
Commercial under 1,600,000 btu – $1,300
Commercial 1,600,000 btu and above – $1,950

Connect Fee

Residential: $60
Commercial/Industrial: $100

City of Somerset Gas Rates
Facilities ChargeAll Volumes
City residential6.70*7.37/DTH
City commercial8.318.31/DTH
City industrial9.309.30/DTH
County residential (including Ferguson)13.0613.06/DTH
County commercial/Light industrial (including Ferguson)13.0613.06/DTH
Education/Service7.377.37/DTH
* Less than one unit.
Rates and contracts are negotiated in the heavy industrial category.

Establishing gas service

For service and installation questions, call (606) 305-2690 or (606) 875-4766.

Step 1: Sign up

Sign up for service at the Somerset Utilities office at the Energy Center, 306 E. Mt. Vernon St., Somerset.

Step 2: Wait for contact from Somerset Gas Service

Once tap and connect fees have been paid, a Somerset Gas representative will contact the customer to discuss the process of establishing gas service, including materials and plumbing considerations. At this time a total BTU load of planned appliances need to be given to Somerset Gas so we can determine size of the meter and other service considerations.

Step 3: Call 811 to have utilities located

After signing up for service and before beginning work, the customer or his/her representative must contact KY 811 either by calling 811 or 1-800-752-6007 or on the web at kentucky811.org to have gas and other utilities located.  An 811 ticket is required by law to be created prior to digging and if a gas line is damaged without notifying 811 there can and will be penalties under state law.

Step 4: Customer responsibilities for installation

The customer/plumber is responsible for sizing and installing all appliances, inside and outside piping, building meter loop, and digging and installing service line from building to the location Somerset Gas determines they will install tap.

Step 5: Notify Somerset Gas for inspection

After inside piping, vents, and appliances have been installed and before any piping can be connected to appliances and covered by drywall or other covering, a Somerset Gas representative must be notified so we can perform an inside inspection of all installed products. At the time of the inside inspection an air test of 20lb must be viewed and verified by Somerset Gas representative. Customer will be responsible for putting air on the line and a 30lb gauge installed to monitor the air test for a minimum of 20 minutes to check for any leaks.

Step 6: Build the meter loop, excavate trench and install service line

Somerset Gas will provide the customer with a meter bar and regulator to be used for building the meter loop for the meter set. Once the above-mentioned inspection and air test have been performed, the customer will be required to build the meter loop, excavate the trench and install the service line, and install a #10 solid coper tracer wire.  Any needed fusion connections will be performed by Somerset Gas.

Step 7: Somerset Gas conducts inspection of service line installation

After service line has been installed a Somerset Gas representative must inspect the trench, pipe, and tracer wire, before any backfilling can take place.

Step 8: Somerset Gas establishes connection

Once all inspections and test have taken place Somerset Gas will install the tap at the main and install the meter to establish connection for gas service.

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Have a question or concern?

Reach out directly to our staff.
Bruce Neely web

Gas Department

Contact: Bruce Neely Gas Department Director

Phone: (606) 425-5374 (office)
(606) 875-4766 (cell)

Gas Department

Contact: Jarrad Keith Operations Manager

Phone: 606.305.2690 (cell)

Gas Department

Contact: Ashley Blevins Gas Accounting

Phone: 606.678.4466, 606.425.5317 (office)
606.305.0632 (cell)