Press Release

Nominations Sought for Damage Prevention Committee

Published on 1/16/2024

Filed under: Electric Gas Telecommunications Water and Wastewater

PUC Reminds Stakeholders about February 5 Deadline

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today reminded stakeholders and concerned citizens across the state about the search for individuals to serve on the PUC’s Damage Prevention Committee (DPC), which is a key element of enhanced efforts to safeguard underground utilities.

Qualified Candidates Sought

The PUC is currently accepting DPC nominations for representatives from the following industries:

1. Non-municipally owned or affiliated facility owner industries – including natural gas or petroleum – nominated by facility owners or affiliated organizations (one position).

How to Apply

Nominations will be accepted until Feb. 5, 2024, and the new DPC appointee will begin their three-year term in March 2024. Nomination forms and instructions are available on the PUC website. 

Completed nomination forms should be submitted to the Secretary of the PUC, Rosemary Chiavetta, at rchiavetta@pa.gov.

The creation of the committee was authorized by Act 50 of 2017, which enhances Pennsylvania’s Underground Utility Line Protection Act – also known as the “One Call Law.”  Appointments to the DPC will begin in 2021, and persons appointed to the DPC must have the appropriate level of expertise within the operation of Act 50.

In accordance with Act 50, membership on the DPC includes: non-municipal owned or affiliated facility owner industries, such as the electric, natural gas or petroleum pipelines, telephone, water or wastewater and cable television industries; excavators; municipal governments; and municipal authorities.  Each member shall serve a term of three years. After the term is completed, members are required to reapply for DPC membership.

Questions regarding nominations for the PUC’s Damage Prevention Committee should be directed to PUC Secretary Rosemary Chiavetta at rchiavetta@pa.gov or (717) 787-8009.

About the DPC

The DPC is a peer-based group of 13 representatives, nominated by their industry or affiliated organization and appointed by the PUC. The DPC meets regularly to review alleged violations of Act 50 and make informal determinations as to the appropriate response including, but not limited to, the issuance of warning letters, mandatory training programs and/or administrative penalties. Summaries and actions taken at monthly DPC meetings are available on the PUC’s website.

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Contact:

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