Inuvik residents asked to cut energy use because of low propane supply

People in Inuvik, N.W.T., are being asked to turn down the heat at home and also find other ways to reduce their energy use, because of a limited propane supply in town.

Inuvik Gas Ltd. issued an advisory late Tuesday afternoon asking residents to conserve because of an “unexpected fuel supply reduction and weather conditions limiting road access.”

It did not provide any more details about that state of the local supply but said the community must reduce its reliance on propane “for the coming days.”

The temperature in Inuvik Tuesday evening was –44 C, according to Environment Canada.

Inuvik Gas said it is working with the town of Inuvik, as well as the Yukon and N.W.T. governments “to open the road and provide safe access to truck in propane and increase our supply.”

Inuvik Mayor Peter Clarkson told CBC News on Tuesday evening that it was his understanding that two propane resupply trucks have already arrived in the community.

“Yukon highways people … escorted them through the closed part of the Dempster [Highway]. And then shortly after that the whole Dempster Highway opened up,” Clarkson said.

Fuel is typically trucked north to Inuvik through Yukon via the Dempster Highway. The road had been closed on the Yukon side until Tuesday afternoon.

The N.W.T. Department of Infrastructure then announced Tuesday evening that the highway was again closed from Eagle Plains to Fort McPherson, N.W.T., due to blizzard conditions.

‘We need to get this propane up’

Once propane arrives in Inuvik, it’s converted to the natural gas used to heat homes and cook food.

Inuvik Gas wasn’t immediately available for confirmation Tuesday evening about the arrival of resupply trucks, but the company said it was preparing a detailed statement.

Clarkson said all levels of government in the Yukon and the N.W.T. were involved in getting propane through to his community, including both territorial premiers.

“At various levels there was communication with the Yukon saying, we need to get this propane up because Inuvik Gas currently has a shortage — and it’s –40, 44 in Inuvik,” he said.

For now, Inuvik Gas is still asking residents to turn down the heat in their homes “to a manageable temperature,” and use diesel, wood, or electric heating if possible, rather than propane.

They’re also being asked to do other things to reduce energy use, such as avoiding using their ovens or taking long, hot showers, closing blinds or drapes to retain heat inside, and working from home if possible “to reduce temperature in office buildings.”