NYSEG and RG&E Share Natural Gas Safety Tips and Reminders
“Smell gas? Get up, get out, and get away!”
Call 800.572.1121 (NYSEG), 800.743.1702 (RG&E), or 911 from a safe location if you suspect a gas leak
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — June 4, 2026 — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) today shared important gas safety tips for customers who suspect a gas leak in their home or business. If you suspect a natural gas leak, get up, get out, and get away! Then call 800.572.1121 (NYSEG), 800.743.1702 (RG&E), or 911 from a safe location.
“Protecting customers and the communities we serve is at the heart of everything we do,” said Patricia Nilsen, CEO of NYSEG and RG&E. “Across our service areas, we serve nearly 600,000 natural gas customers and gas emergencies do not follow a schedule. That is why we’re committed to a rapid response whenever a customer needs us. Our highly trained gas fitters work around the clock to keep homes and businesses safe. This important work is not possible without the support of our dedicated union workforce.”
A natural gas leak is usually recognized by smell, sight, or sound. Natural gas is colorless and odorless, which is why a distinctive rotten egg-like smell is added so people can quickly recognize a gas leak. A white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, or blowing dust is a visual sign that a natural gas leak has occurred. Customers may also notice vegetation appearing to be dead or dying for no apparent reason. Gas leaks may also be present if you hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing, or whistling.
The Companies offer these examples of what customers should do if they suspect a natural gas leak:
- Get up, get out, and get away! Then call 800.572.1121 (NYSEG), 800.743.1702 (RG&E), or 911 immediately from a safe location
- Do not smoke or operate electrical switches or appliances. These items may produce a spark that can ignite the natural gas and cause an explosion.
- Do not assume someone else will report the condition. Provide the exact location, including cross streets.
- Let us know if sewer construction or digging activities are going on in the area.
Gas safety inspections are conducted regularly across NYSEG and RG&E’s more than 18,000 miles of natural gas pipelines. These inspections assess the condition of the main and service lines. Specialized equipment is used to detect a leak, and inspectors perform visual inspections on all exposed piping up to the natural gas meter inside a home or business. These inspections are required by federal code and the New York State Public Service Commission.
For more information about the Companies’ gas response, please click here for NYSEG and here for RG&E.
Media Contact
Michael Baggerman