Press Release

PUC Approves $60,000 Settlement with Dominion Peoples

Published on 5/6/2010

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a settlement agreement, which includes a civil penalty and money directed to Dominion Peoples’ educational programs for alleged violations to the Public Utility Code and Commission regulations.  The Commission took this action after considering separate comments filed by Dominion Peoples, the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate and by the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project to the modified settlement.

The Commission voted 3-1 to approve the modified settlement agreement, which ends an informal investigation by the PUC’s Prosecutory Staff and requires Dominion Peoples to pay a civil penalty of $30,000 and to spend $30,000 to create and provide schools and contractors who engage in subsurface excavation within the Dominion Peoples’ service territory with an educational program that addresses safety-related issues associated with natural gas. PUC Vice Chairman Tyrone J. Christy issued a dissenting statement.

The violations stem from three separate incidents in 2007. 

On May 2, 2007, a contractor using a backhoe damaged a service line connected to a dwelling in Tyrone, Blair County.  A PUC Gas Safety Division inspector subsequently found that Dominion had failed to follow proper procedures in abandoning the line.

On June 8, 2007, a contractor damaged a pipeline in West Mifflin, Allegheny County.  A PUC Gas Safety Division inspector subsequently discovered that Dominion personnel did not accurately mark the gas main in the proposed area of excavation and that the Dominion contractor did not locate the pipeline because the actual location of the pipeline on the map was misinterpreted.

On June 21, 2007, a PUC Gas Safety Division inspector reviewed Dominion Peoples’ records related to valve maintenance at the Wilkinsburg, Altoona and Kiski facilities.  It was determined that three Dominion employees utilized for valve maintenance were not qualified and that five employees had expired qualifications related to federal and state operator qualification rules.

Dominion Peoples provides natural gas service to 1.8 million customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.　

##

Docket No. M-2009-2086651

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov