Xcel Energy said Sunday
that the evacuation of 61 Highlands
Ranch homes would
continue through today because
of safety concerns.
Work crews from the gas
company were fixing a
natural-gas pipeline that began
leaking last week, displacing
175 Highlands Ranch residents.
cel called in a crew of specialists
from Oklahoma to find
and fix the leak in the pipeline,
which runs 12 feet underground.
Workers made progress on
the construction of a 500-
foot-long bypass pipeline
near Fairview and Summit
View parkways in the Douglas
County community.
The decision to continue the
evacuation was prompted by
federal rules. Xcel officials said
crews were facing a mandatory
time-off period under Occupational
Safety and Health Administration
regulations.
In addition, the company
said it was preparing for increased
natural-gas demands
because of continue cold temperatures
today.
Xcel Energy provided families
with shelter and expense
money during the evacuation
$70 a person per day.
