DULUTH, Minn. – People in the eastern half of Duluth were asked to lower their thermostats to 62 degrees, perhaps for all weekend, maybe longer, because a major natural gas supply line was punctured. Outside temperatures were forecast from 5 to 20 degrees. Greg Guerrero, city public works director, said repairs would be complicated and take time. A contractor broke the underground line Thursday night when pounding pilings into frozen ground.
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Guerrero: “Reducing thermostats helps make sure that all businesses and homes are able to heat with the gas remaining in the system. Without customer assistance neighborhoods are at risk of a full gas shutoff.”
Duluth population: 86,000.