Berwick seeks Patterson's help for gas system

Berwick is asking for some help with delivering natural gas to its residents, and Patterson may be poised to lend a hand.
The Patterson City Council will conduct a special meeting at 6 p.m. Monday. The only item on the agenda is Berwick’s request to purchase natural gas from Patterson’s system.
Berwick Mayor Duval Arthur and Public Works Director Rafael “Chuco” Lopez came before the Patterson council July 2.
They’re not asking Patterson to provide gas for all of Berwick’s needs. Their problem is near the end of the Berwick system near Old Spanish Trail. And that problem is gas-fired electrical generators.
Many generators turn on automatically, and begin consuming natural gas, during an electrical outage.
That causes a drop in gas pressure throughout the system, Arthur said.
Berwick is hoping Patterson will sell enough gas to Berwick to boost pressure by 3 pounds per square inch only when the pressure in Berwick’s system drops.
Berwick will pay for the connection to the Patterson system.
“All you have to do is turn the knob,” Arthur said.
Patterson Mayor Rodney Grogan urged council members to do their research about the impact of the connection to Berwick.
“Do your research,” Grogan said. “It’s a sale. It’s money.”