Press Release

PUC Considers $50,000 Settlement with Equitable in Allegheny County Home Explosion

Published on 8/21/2008

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued for public comment a $50,000 settlement with Equitable Gas Co. related to a natural gas explosion that destroyed an Allegheny County home.

The Commission voted unanimously to issue the settlement for comment. The settlement includes a $50,000 monetary penalty. Under the settlement, the penalty and the cost of other provisions of the settlement will not be recovered from ratepayers.

The PUC’s independent prosecutory staff filed a formal complaint against Equitable in February 2006 alleging violations of the state’s Public Utility Code and federal pipeline safety regulations. The complaint centered on the company’s actions in the area of Jacks Run Road in Ross Township. On Aug. 21, 2004, a natural gas leak resulted in an explosion that destroyed a home at 336 Jacks Run Road. The settlement agreement was reac hed between the prosecutory staff and Equitable.

Under the settlement, Equitable also agrees to:

• Provide up to 20 gas indicators to small natural gas distribution companies as directed by the PUC’s Gas Safety Division and provide training for this equipment;
• Maintain a permanent record of any engineering analysis pertaining to the review and potential determination of a safety-related condition; and
• Amend its operating procedures to provide that information about valves with unusual operating conditions returning to full service is recorded.

Interested parties have 20 days to comment.  The Commission will issue a final determination on the settlement at an upcoming public meeting.

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 Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No.     C-20065790

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