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‘Two Major’ Natural Gas Leaks: Century To Spend Nearly $70K To Fix
September 16, 2026
The Town of Century has allocated up to $70,000 to repair “two major” natural gas leaks.
The leaks — described only as being “in Byrneville” and on “Highway 29″ — have been ongoing since they were discovered by a consulting company over a year ago. Town Clerk Carrie Moore said Tuesday night that the leaks are not a danger to the public because “they are underground.”
She told the Century Town Council that the leaks are costing the town an estimated $60,000 per year in lost gas.
Town Manager Dave Murzin said it is necessary to repair the leaks before conducting a natural gas rate study in order to reduce system losses and obtain a more accurate picture of the gas system’s actual usage and costs.
“You are losing money every day,” Moore said of the leaks.
The Town Council voted unanimously to spend up to $70,000 in Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds to make the repairs, which the clerk described as being beyond the town’s certifications and equipment.
Pictured: Century Town Manager Dave Murzin and Town Clerk Carrie Moore explained “two major” natural gas leaks to the Century Town Council on Tuesday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
6 Responses to “‘Two Major’ Natural Gas Leaks: Century To Spend Nearly $70K To Fix”
If the City would have fixed the leaks over a year ago when it was brought to their attention by their consultant, it would have cost $70,000 to fix. Instead they ignored it for a year and paid $60,000 for natural gas that was just wasted. Now they are going to spend an additional $70,000 in tax payer funds to fix it, like they should have done a year ago. Make it make sense.
I very much understand how the leak grading process works, with 30 years of experience in the natural gas industry. My question is how could a leak of any size next to a US highway not be fixed in more than a year. This $70,000 repair now has cost $130,000 with the gas loss added.
Why hasn’t the State of Florida revoked the charter for Century? It has literally been decades of mismanagement without any end in sight. Return the area to county rule and be done with it.
The Florida Public Service Commission, which regulates natural gas delivery systems, has three classifications for leaks, as mentioned by reader “Larry.” Grade 1 (immediate danger, must be fixed), and two other grades of lesser magnitude.
The Clerk’s reference to “major” leak is likely not referring to the PSC’s classification. It is probably more a reference to the $70,000 annual loss as “major.” The Clerk also mentioned the underground situation of the leaks, which would lend itself to Grade 3 type leaks. The consultant’s report would normally spell that out.
Regardless of the grade of leak, they do need to be repaired. Spending $60 K to stop a $70 K leak will pay for itself in less than a year.
Discovered over a year ago and its underground so not harmful are 2 astonishing sentences.
A natural gas leak will not stay underground, natural gas is lighter than air and will travel the path of least resistance usually up. What grade leak 1,2 or3. The grade determines the time for repair. A natural gas leak close to a US highway ,you would think would be a high priority.