Press Release

PUC Finalizes $30,000 Settlement with T.W. Phillips after Jefferson County Natural Gas Explosion

Published on 8/16/2010

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today finalized a settlement with T.W. Phillips Gas and Oil Co. that dedicates $30,000 to education efforts on natural gas.

The Commission voted 5-0 to adopt the settlement, which is the result of an investigation of a gas explosion in Ringgold, Jefferson County, on Feb. 17, 2008, that damaged a residence.

In reviewing the company’s actions in relation to the incident, the Law Bureau Prosecutory Staff alleged the following violations of the Public Utility Code and the Commission’s Regulations:

• T. W. Phillips was untimely in reporting the incident to the Commission;
• The company failed to properly repair the leak promptly before performing other tests, thereby causing a hazard to others; and
• The company was untimely in reporting the incident to the National Response Center.

            Under the terms of the settlement, the company will:

• Implement a two-pronged program designed to improve T. W. Phillips’ public education on gas safety and preventing damage to gas lines, using $15,000 to expand and improve T. W. Phillips’ program to educate local fire fighters in its service territory on the dangers of natural gas fires
• Devote $15,000 to a new program designed to educate children on preventing damage to buried gas lines;
• Introduce three initiatives to increase the number of leak repairs on its pipeline system, especially the bare steel pipe and;
• Cease and desist from committing any further violations of gas safety regulations.

T.W. Phillips provides natural gas service to approximately 62,800 customers in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Clearfield, Indiana, Jefferson, and Westmoreland counties.

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.

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Docket No. M-2010-2037210

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722