Press Release

Nominations Sought for Damage Prevention Committee

Published on 10/19/2022

Filed under: Consumer Education Electric Gas Pipeline Telecommunications Water and Wastewater

PUC Reminds Stakeholders About November 30 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 each of the following industries:

1. Non-municipally owned or affiliated facility owner industries – Water or Wastewater – nominated by facility owners or affiliated organizations (1 position).
2. Non-municipally owned or affiliated facility owner industries – Telecommunications – nominated by facility owners or affiliated organizations (1 position).
3. Excavators – nominated by excavators or affiliated organizations (1 position).
4. Municipal Governments – nominated by municipal governments or affiliated organizations (1 position).

How to Apply

Forms and instructions for submitting nominations are available on the PUC’s webpage. Completed nomination forms should be submitted to the Secretary of the PUC, Rosemary Chiavetta, at rchiavetta@pa.gov. DPC nominations will be accepted until the close of business (4:30 p.m. EST) on November 30, 2022.

Appointments to the DPC will begin in 2023, and persons appointed to the DPC must have the appropriate level of expertise within the operation of Act 50. 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 Sara Locke, Supervisor of the PUC’s Damage Prevention Team, at salocke@pa.gov or (717) 772-8584.

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 began in 2020, 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. 

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. 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.” The focus of the DPC is to reduce the number of “hits” on underground lines and utilities.

The DPC meets regularly to review alleged violations of the One Call Law 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 of actions taken at monthly DPC meetings are available on the PUC’s website.

About the Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement

The independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) enforces state and federal pipeline safety, electric safety and motor carrier safety laws and regulations and represents the public interest in ratemaking and service matters before the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge.  I&E has the authority to bring enforcement action, seek emergency orders from the Commission or take other steps to ensure public safety.

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Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov