In 2014, eight residents of East Harlem lost their lives when two buildings were destroyed by a natural gas explosion and the resulting fire. People in the area recounted smelling gas in the days leading up to the incident, but no one had reported the gas odor until shortly before the explosion. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the incident and determined that natural gas from a compromised gas line connection in the street had leaked and migrated into one of the buildings where it ignited.

Con Edison is requesting proposals from social and behavioral researchers in support of its goal of increasing public awareness of gas safety and of the importance of reporting natural gas odors.

Eligible projects are those that address human responses to, and/or education about the detection and reporting of natural gas odors. Solutions provided should aim to better understand factors that may or may not prompt community members to contact Con Edison or call 911 when they detect a gas leak or gas odor.

Research areas should include:

1. Exploring the question that has troubled the utility industry for decades: what does and does not prompt the public to notify a utility or 911 of a detected gas leak?

2. Measuring the effectiveness[i] of Con Edison’s current education campaign Smell Gas, Act Fast.

This research will be used to inform and enhance Con Edison’s public outreach (advertisements, education and assistance), superintendent training curriculum, and other gas safety programs.