October 2011, Vol. 238 No. 10

Features

Vapor Extraction Unit Valued In LDC War On Leaks

An experienced gas utility field distribution crew struggled with frozen ground and sub-freezing January temperatures in northern Idaho a few years ago. They were seeking to pinpoint and resolve a natural gas leak in a rural corner of Avista Utilities’ three-state service area. Avista is based in Spokane, WA. The search for the leak was routine, at best, for the crew, but time-consuming. Today, Bill Baker, gas training and codes coordinator for Avista, looks back with a measure of frustration on that incident that unfolded in a subdivision of five-acre residential properties. Avista’s crew was attempting to mitigate the leak without knowing its precise source throug