The Town of Rangely Gas Department is somewhat unique compared to other natural gas companies, in that there are only a few municipalities that operate their own gas company in Colorado. Over the years our community has received many benefits that a privately owned gas company may not have been able to provide, especially in the areas of customer service and overall price paid for gas. The Town Council can react to market changes much more quickly than a company that must seek approval form the Public Utility Commission to adjust rates. Personalized service, quick response to calls, numerous services provided at minimal or no cost, and scheduled main/service replacement at no cost to the homeowner are additional benefits we have. Generous rebates have been received by many of our customers when conversions from another energy source to natural gas occurred. The Gas Departments budget contributes a substantial amount in dollars to the WARM Program (assistance goes directly to our customers).
Although we are a small gas distribution company we operate under most of the same rules and regulations and do much of the same work as a company in the private sector. The safety of our community, the reliability of gas supply, and to provide competitive rates are of most importance.
 

Our goal

Energy Saving Tips for Winter

  1. To provide safe, reliable gas service to our customers and ensure the safety of those living and working near our gas facilities and pipelines.

  2. To educate and raise awareness of our natural gas customers and affected public: how they can help in preventing an emergency, how to recognize and respond to possible natural gas emergencies

  3. To help excavators understand the steps that they can take to prevent damage to our underground pipelines.

The Town of Rangely wants you to be comfortable in your home. We also want you to be efficient and pay the least amount for the energy required to keep you warm on cold winter days. Conservation measures and weatherization practices can amount to significant savings. Here are some simple tips for keeping the heat inside your home while helping to save money on your gas bill. Gas Department Energy Saver Hints

Don’t forget the Town of Rangely WARM Program and other assistance programs such as LEAP for people in need. Visit our Webb site at WWW.rangely.com for information regarding the Safe use of Natural Gas.
   

Our Message to you

Natural gas is one of the safest and most dependable energy sources available. The use of natural gas is a safe, convenient, economical, and environmentally clean fuel. It is one of the safest fuels available for a wide range of uses including: space and water heating, cooking, clothes drying, space cooling, decorative lighting, industrial processes, and motor vehicles.

The Town of Rangely owns and operates the natural gas facilities. The system consists of about 30miles of Gas Main and 1100 Services. The area of service covers from 'Twin Arrow' west of town, east to the 'Industrial Park', north along County Rd 46 and south including CNCC and the city gas station located on County Rd 23.

The Gas department designs, installs, tests, operates and maintains our natural gas system to meet or exceed regulatory standards. Our Staff of four full-time people regularly patrol and leak survey our system facilities in an effort to eliminate potential safety hazards. Our employees are trained and qualified to safely operate and maintain our gas system. Someone is on call 24 hours a day and can be reached through the Police Department in an emergency.

The residents of Rangely are among hundreds of people who live near our pipeline facilities. We have developed brochures to help you identify our pipelines, to prevent possible pipeline safety hazards, and to provide information on recognizing and responding to natural gas emergencies . Natural gas is a colorless, odorless gas that is lighter than air. Because natural gas is lighter than air it will rise if there is a leak. An odor similar to "rotten eggs" is added to our gas as a safety measure to assist in detecting even the smallest leaks in appliances, house piping, or the distribution system.

As part of our on-going Public awareness Program, information distribution and educational presentations are performed with school children, emergency officials, other departments of the town, and the general public.
 

Gas pricing and purchasing Plan
Several years ago the Town Administration and Town Council prepared a Natural Gas Purchasing Plan. The plan addresses gas purchases in specific volumes at a locked in price. The town may purchase several tiers of gas (depending on the future price) during the year in an effort to keep the consumer gas cost from being affected by very high spikes. The remainder of the gas needed to supply the town’s consumption is bought at index price (whatever market price is at the time). Natural gas usage can vary depending on the weather, supply, commodity, and emotion. Therefore, it is important to only guarantee a portion of the projected annual usage avoiding over purchases. This approach helps protect the town in part from very unstable index pricing.
The customer gas rate charged consists of three parts; town operating cost, transportation cost, and gas supply.
Town Operating Cost – covers the cost to operate the gas department (includes administration, billing, dispatching, etc.), capital outlay and improvements to the distribution system. Note .. Although the operating cost has increased, this part of the gas rate has not been raised for many years, No increase expected this year.
Transportation Fee – covers the cost to transport natural gas to Rangely. Note ..This part has not been raised for many years. No increase expected this year.
Natural Gas Supply – covers the cost of natural gas needed to supply the Town of Rangely. Note .. This cost goes up and down (more up than down the last couple years) depending on the uncontrollable index price and the Natural Gas Purchasing Plan (locked in gas). You could expect 50 % increases this heating season in the cost of natural gas. This cost is passed on to the consumer

Example of the gas rate for last billing cycle (February 07)

Operating Cost ............ 0.30 Per/CCF
Transportation Cost ......0..047 Per/CCF
Supply Cost .................0..72 Per/CCF
Total...........................$1.07 Per/CCF
 

Recognize & React - What to do?

Some signs of a gas leak include:

  • a gaseous or hydrocarbon odor

  • a blowing or hissing sound

  • dust blowing from a hole in the ground

  • continuous bubbling in wet or flooded areas

  • a spot of dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green area.

Inside Leak - Call the Town of Rangely immediately. If the odor is 'Strong' or 'Audible' evacuate the premises and call from a neighbors home.

Outside Leak - Call the Town of Rangely. Remain clear of the immediate area.

In the event that any persons "HITS" PUNCTURES" etc, a gas line

STOP ALL EQUIPMENT & EVACUATE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY

Contact the Town of Rangely at once. Report even minor damage such as 'Dents' 'Scrapes' or 'Chips'. DO NOT COVER THE LINE
   

Call Before you Dig
Nation wide number 811 connects to
1-800-922-1987

Whether you are building a home, installing a sprinkler system, or just planting a tree, the Town of Rangely wants you to be safe. No matter the size of the project, before you dig, grade, or excavate the law requires you to call for all underground utilities to be located.

By participating in the program and getting underground facilities located, you will: comply with state law, avoid injuries, prevent costly damages and interruptions of facility services, save time and money, avoid hazards, and eliminate construction delays.
   

Contractors engaging in earth moving operations must provide proof of Damage Prevention
and Recognize and React to Natural Gas Emergency training
and / or schedule the training with the Town of Rangely at 970-675-8476.
   

What to do if You Smell Gas

If you Smell Gas:

  • If possible eliminate any source of ignition.
  • Do not smoke. Do not use lighters or matches.
  • Do not turn on/off any switches or appliances.
  • Do not use a phone or cell phone.
  • Leave the area and go to a safe location
  • Call the Town of Rangely at (970) 675-8477. (After Hours contact the Police Department (970) 675-8466)
  • Have all emergency information available. (See Emergency Checklist).

For possible 'Life threatening emergency' call 9-1-1 and have emergency checklist information ready

Our personnel are available 24 hours a day to respond to any emergency call.

Emergency Checklist:

If you have an emergency, call the Rangely Police Department at (970) 675-6466 and provide our personnel with the following information:
  1. Name
  2. Address or Location
  3. Telephone Number
  4. Type of Building or Site
  5. Type and strength of odor
  6. Location of Odor (Inside by appliance or outside by the meter or site)
  7. Recent construction in the area?
   

Additional Information

Town Hall: 209 E. Main St, Rangely, CO 81648

Gas Shop: 514 Prospect Ave, Rangely, CO 81648

"Public Awareness Program" brochure (pdf)

"Damage Prevention Program" brochure (pdf)

"Excavation Backfilling Requirements" brochure (pdf)
   
 
Town of Rangely
209 E. Main St., Rangely, Colorado 81648
Email: rangelyinfo@rangely.com  Phone: 970.675.8476
Website Redesign (2008) by Blue Moose Design Kettle Falls, WA