Press Release

PUC Weighs Settlement with Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Aimed at Improving Worker Safety

Published on 11/9/2016

Filed under: Gas

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued for comment a proposed settlement with Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Inc. (Columbia) following an informal investigation into alleged safety violations at two western Pennsylvania work sites.

The Commission voted 5-0 to issue for comment the proposed settlement between Columbia and the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement (I&E).  Interested parties have 20 days to file comments on the settlement.  Instructions on how to file comments are contained in the Commission’s Order.

Provisions of the settlement include that the company has taken or will take the following actions:

• Take corrective action and implement revisions to its operating procedures intended to reduce or prevent injuries to workers;
• Accelerate its enhanced operator qualification training for Columbia contractors from a three- to two-year cycle;
• Provide physical identifiers on all sections of gas main under test pressure where the main is exposed;
• Revise training procedures relative to pressure testing pipelines;
• Verify that all required contractors and Columbia employees have completed training relative to preventing and responding to potentially hazardous situations;
• Enhance employee training and retraining on internal cleaning of pipelines; and
• Pay a $50,000 civil penalty, which cannot be recovered from ratepayers.

I&E began informal investigations following two incidents on Columbia’s gas system during infrastructure replacement projects in Coraopolis, Allegheny County, and Wampum, Lawrence County.  Based on its investigations, I&E alleges that Columbia’s failure to take adequate precautions, exercise reasonable care, and provide necessary training on the company’s operating procedures led to bodily injury of two contract laborers, and was in violation of Commission regulations for state safety standards.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Docket No.: M-2016-2378672

Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov