Press Release

PUC Seeks Public Comment on Revised Settlement with Columbia Gas of PA Concerning Over-pressurization of Distribution Systems

Published on 4/20/2023

Filed under: Gas

Proposed Settlement Involves 2018 Incidents on Columbia Gas Systems in Fayetteville, Franklin County and Rimersburg, Clarion County

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today moved to seek public comment on a revised settlement proposal related to events that resulted in the over-pressurization of Columbia Gas distribution systems in Fayetteville, Franklin County and Rimersburg, Clarion County. 

The case concerns alleged over-pressurization events the occurred in January 2018, involving the Columbia Gas natural gas distribution system in Fayetteville, and events in May and June of 2018, involving the distribution system in Rimersburg.

The Commission voted 5-0 today to publish the revised settlement and seek public comment on a revised settlement that has been submitted by Columbia Gas and the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) before issuing a decision on the merits of the proposed settlement.

Following the publication of this proposed settlement in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, interested parties will have 25 days to submit their comments.

The proposed settlement would require Columbia Gas to pay a $535,000 civil penalty and make a series of procedural and training improvements. Today’s action to seek public comment on the revised settlement in this case comes after the Commission rejected an earlier proposed settlement in May 2022 and returned the matter to I&E for further proceedings.

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-2021-3005572

Contact:

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