Press Release

PUC Approves $5,000 Settlement with Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Inc.

Published on 8/30/2012

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC or Commission) today finalized a settlement with Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Inc. (Columbia or company) over an informal investigation into an incident where customer information was inadvertently released to other customers.  

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the settlement between the PUC’s independent Prosecutory Staff and the company.

On Sept. 30, 2008, Columbia informed the Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS) that a corrupt database in its bill viewer program had allowed the bills of 22 customers to be viewed by other customers on Columbia’s website between Aug. 25 and Sept. 3, 2008. 

The corrupt database allowed other customers on Columbia’s website to view the following standing billing for the 22 affected customers: customer name, service address, account number, gas consumption, past payments, payment due dates, current balance and current charges.  No other confidential information, such as social security numbers, bank account information, credit card information, or telephone numbers, could be viewed.

Under the settlement, Columbia will pay a $5,000 civil penalty and will continue oversight, implementation and management of software programs.  Columbia’s reliance on information technology expertise shall include any necessary staff training and internal management procedures, sufficient to prevent the authorized release of customer information in the future.  The civil penalty cannot be recovered from consumers, according to the settlement.

Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Inc. provides natural gas service to approximately 411,000 customers in 26 counties in Pennsylvania.

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.pa.gov.

###

Docket No. C-2010-2071433

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722