Minnesota Energy Resources: No restrictions on natural gas use for customers impacted by damaged pipeline

Minnesota Energy Resources has alerted customers in Willow River, Sturgeon Lake and Finlayson impacted by Friday's damaged pipeline that there are no longer restrictions on their natural gas use.

According to a news release issued on Tuesday, around 650 customers lost service Friday afternoon due to damage on a Northern Natural Gas interstate pipeline that provides natural gas to the Minnesota Energy Resources system.

The release states that NNG provided a temporary supply of natural gas to help homes and businesses stay warm over the weekend. Customers were asked to keep thermostats at 60 degrees and avoid using nonessential natural gas appliances.

A more permanent fuel supply has been established, which allows customers to use natural gas as usual.