Press Release

PUC Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Settlement with Peoples Natural Gas Company

Published on 5/13/2022

Filed under: Gas

Settlement Follows PUC Examination of 2019 Incident Involving Natural Gas Leak and Service Outage in Moon Township, Allegheny County

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has moved to seek public comment on a proposed settlement addressing events surrounding a natural gas leak and subsequent service outage in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, related to the alleged failure of a temporary meter station installed by Peoples Natural Gas Company (Peoples Gas).

The Commission voted 3-0 to publish the proposed settlement in the Pennsylvania Bulletin for comment.  Concerned parties have 25 days from the publication of the proposed settlement to file their comments with the Commission. It is strongly encouraged that any comments be filed using the PUC’s free eFiling system.

Joint Settlement Proposal

The joint settlement – which was submitted by the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) and Peoples Gas – follows an informal I&E investigation into the cause and circumstances of events that took place on March 9, 2019, at a temporary meter station located on Western Avenue in Moon Township that resulted in a natural gas leak and outage impacting approximately 980 customers in that area.

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Peoples Gas agrees to pay a $195,000 civil penalty, make changes in the design process for temporary meter and regulator stations, and enhance communication with the PUC’s Safety Division regarding incidents.

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-2022-3028365

Contact:

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