Press Release

HARRISBURG – Dominion Peoples Natural Gas Company has agreed to pay a $125,000 fine to settle two cases with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) stemming from explosions in Westmoreland and Beaver counties in 2000 which damaged several homes.

The PUC investigations found that Dominion Peoples committed numerous violations of the Commission’s gas safety regulations, including the failure to properly mark pipelines and to properly train employees in its emergency procedures. The Commission tentatively approved the settlement 4-1 at today’s public meeting, with Commissioner Aaron Wilson Jr. dissenting. (Link to Commissioner Wilson’s statement.)

           
The Beaver County incident occurred in Industry on March 15, 2000. The Westmoreland County incident happened on March 22, 2000, in Hempfield Township.

As part of the settlement, Dominion has agreed to implement numerous safety measures. The company will implement a program to ensure that all notices of excavation activities are evaluated and properly completed prior to the excavation date. It will develop a specific procedure to monitor the accuracy and timeliness of temporary pipeline markings near excavation sites. Also, Dominion will provide additional training for all employees, including contractors responsible for conducting pipeline inspections.

           
The Commission adopted the settlement as a tentative order. Interested parties will have 20 days from the entry date of today’s order to file exceptions. Once the tentative order becomes final, Dominion will have 20 days from that date to pay the fine. Also, the settlement is separate from any private civil actions related to the incidents.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as responsible stewards of competition.

           
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