Press Release

PUC Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Settlement with Columbia Gas Concerning Washington County House Explosion

Published on 6/16/2022

Filed under: Gas

Proposed Settlement Includes $990,000 Civil Penalty and Procedure Changes Following 2019 “Over Pressurization” Incident Which Destroyed a Washington, Pennsylvania, Home and Injured Several People

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is seeking public comment on a proposed settlement addressing a natural gas explosion that destroyed a house in the City of Washington, Pennsylvania, in July 2019 – injuring several people and damaging other nearby homes.  The incident occurred as construction work was underway nearby for a Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania (Columbia Gas) project involving gas mains in the area. 

The Commission voted 3-0 to publish the proposed settlement in the Pennsylvania Bulletin for comment from interested parties.

Those interested in commenting on the proposed settlement have 25 days from the date of publication to file their comments with the Commission. All comments must be filed using the PUC’s free eFiling system.

Explosion Investigation

Pipeline Safety Personnel from the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) and the State Police Fire Marshal jointly conducted an evaluation to determine the cause of the July 31, 2019, explosion at 100 Park Lane. 

According to investigators, the primary cause of the explosion was the over pressurization of the house piping and appliances – noting that Columbia Gas had failed to include the residence on the company’s maps for its nearby “Dewey Avenue Replacement Project,” and, as a result, the house was not equipped with a service regulator when operating pressure in the Columbia Gas distribution system was significantly increased. 

The explosion demolished the entire residential structure at 100 Park Lane and injured several people, including residents and emergency responders who had answered a 9-1-1 call reporting a strong gas odor at the home. Additionally, one other nearby residence was condemned because of damage from the explosion, and numerous other homes and vehicles were damaged.

Joint Settlement Proposal

The proposed settlement – which was submitted by I&E and Columbia Gas – includes the following:

• A civil penalty of $990,000.
• Revised procedures for projects involving uprating gas mains.
• A program to ensure identification of all locations, mains and pressure systems for each service line tap in the Columbia Gas service territory, including properties where the tap location differs from the street address.
• Modified standards for service line records, including identification of all service lines in and around any project that significantly increases operating pressures.
• Enhanced training to address new procedures.
• Mapping system enhancements to ensure pipeline system updates are correctly mapped.
  
  

About the PUC

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket No.: M-2022-3012079

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov