PUC Seeks Public Comment on Revised Settlement with Columbia Gas Concerning Washington County House Explosion
Proposed $990,000. Penalty
2019 Incident Destroyed a Home in Washington, Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to seek public comment on a proposed revised settlement regarding a natural gas explosion that destroyed a house in the City of Washington, Pennsylvania, in July 2019 – injuring several people and damaging other nearby homes. The incident occurred as construction work was underway nearby on a Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania (Columbia Gas) project involving gas mains in the area.
The Commission voted 5-0 to seek comment from interested parties regarding the revised joint settlement presented by Columbia Gas and the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E). The proposed settlement will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, and that publication will begin a 25-day comment period.
Explosion Investigation
Pipeline safety inspectors from I&E and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal jointly conducted an evaluation to determine the cause of the July 31, 2019, explosion at 100 Park Lane. According to investigators, the primary cause of the explosion was the over-pressurization of the house piping and appliances – noti…