Press Release

Safety Complaint Filed Against Philadelphia Gas Works Over 2021 Natural Gas House Explosion

Published on 12/3/2024

Filed under: Gas

PGW Accused of Failing to Properly Investigate and Address Concerns About Integrity of Underground Natural Gas Pipeline Before Explosion

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement (I&E) has filed a formal complaint against Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) regarding a natural gas explosion in Philadelphia on November 30, 2021. The incident, which occurred at a home on Jackson Street, caused significant damage, injured three residents, and necessitated the temporary evacuation of neighboring homes.

The complaint follows a detailed investigation by the PUC’s Safety Division, which examines safety incidents involving state utilities. It alleges that PGW committed multiple violations of state and federal safety and utility regulations, which contributed to the explosion. Notably, the explosion was triggered by gas escaping from a cracked 4-inch cast iron main in front of 815 Jackson Street.

Investigators highlighted that three months before the explosion, excavation related to sewer repairs had been conducted near the site, affecting soil stability and undermining the structural integrity of the road and sidewalk. Despite receiving alerts from the Pennsylvania One Call System about potential underground street issues at this location, PGW allegedly failed to act appropriately – neglecting to investigate or address the underlying issues which included water leaks and multiple sewer failures.

Following the incident, system repairs were addressed and PGW later followed with a cast iron main replacement program in the vicinity of the incident. PGW also initiated integrity checks including additional leak surveys after the incident for this portion of the gas supply system.    

I&E is seeking a $300,000 civil penalty from PGW and demands several corrective actions to prevent future violations.

The I&E complaint along with any response from PGW will be considered by the Commission before a final decision is made on the matter.

About the Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement

I&E, as the independent investigation and enforcement bureau of the PUC, enforces the state public utility code and PUC regulations – including regulations related to energy marketing and sales and consumer protection. I&E has the authority to bring enforcement action, seek emergency orders from the Commission or take other steps to ensure public safety.

Engineers from I&E’s Safety Division are in the field daily, conducting inspections of utility and jurisdictional non-utility construction, operations, and integrity management activities. They also investigate issues discovered during their inspections, along with incidents, accidents, and events reported by pipeline operators, emergency response agencies, or the public. During all investigations, the Safety Division gathers and analyzes data to explore the cause and circumstances surrounding an incident, and whether there are any violations of state or federal pipeline safety regulations.

# # #

Docket No.: C-2024-3052277

Contact:

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