Residents face winter crisis as gas service remains shut off

On June 13, a significant gas line leak was discovered in a mobile home park in New Mexico, prompting the gas provider, Desert Palms, to shut off service to the entire facility. The park, home to 74 residences, has been without gas service for over a month, leaving residents in a precarious situation as winter approaches.

Corporate owners of the park explored options to restore service, initially considering a contract with Pinnacle Propane. However, on July 18, the city of Alamogordo issued a notice stating that installing propane in the mobile home park would violate city ordinances, effectively halting that plan. This has left residents with no immediate solutions for heating their homes.

At a recent tenant meeting, residents learned that converting to an all-electric system would require extensive upgrades, including the installation of transformers and new appliances, which many cannot afford. The situation is further complicated by the fact that nearby White Sands Mobile Home Park has been waiting for contractor repairs for five months without resolution.

Residents are now faced with two potential solutions: repairing the existing gas lines and restoring service, or seeking an exception from the Alamogordo City Council to allow for propane installation. With winter looming, the urgency of the situation is palpable, as many residents, including seniors, fear the prospect of relying on electric space heaters for warmth. The community is calling for immediate action to address their dire circumstances.