Staten Island: Snapshot of natural gas leaks under city streets
Leaked natural gas – mostly methane – is a powerful contributor to climate change.
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Findings
Our readings indicated an average of about one leak for every mile we drove.
Readings are from January through April 2014 and may not reflect current leaks, due to repairs or other changes.
If you ever smell gas, or have any reason to suspect a problem, experts say to immediately exit the building or area, then call the authorities. For more, see the National Grid safety page.
About the area's natural gas infrastructure
- Utility: National Grid, a shareholder-owned gas and electric company serving areas of New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Most leaks don't pose an immediate threat to safety or health, but some can. We have shared this data with National Grid.
- Pipe materials: More than one quarter of the pipes in National Grid's New York service territory are made from cast iron or other corrosive and leak-prone materials.
- Age of pipes: More than half of the pipes are more than 50 years old, which is common in older Northeastern cities.
- What's notable: Landfills emit methane, and Staten Island holds the largest landfill on the Eastern Seaboard. This analysis accounts for high background methane near the landfill, and so could miss small leaks.