The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PUC’s) independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) says it has filed formal complaints against UGI Utilities Inc. (UGI) and a Cumberland County plumber in the wake of a 2022 house explosion and fire in Susquehanna Township.
The explosion rocked the Wedgewood Hills neighborhood off Progress Avenue when police said a Pronto Plumbing contractor punctured a gas line while working at the home. That blast took place on Dec. 13 in the 3200 block of Crest Road in Dauphin County.
It flattened the house and sent parts of the home and the family’s personal items blasting across the neighborhood. A 92-year-old next-door neighbor was injured when windows in his home shattered from the explosion’s violent shock.
The formal complaint filings follow an investigation by the PUC’s Safety Division into the explosion and fire. On that day, Pronto Plumbing, during excavation activities, struck and damaged a natural gas service line operated by UGI, resulting in a line rupture and a release of gas that migrated into the Crest Road residence, a PUC press release said.
The natural gas subsequently ignited, resulting in an explosion that destroyed the residence, damaged several adjacent homes, and injured two people.
During its investigation, the PUC’s Safety Division explored the circumstances surrounding this incident, compliance with state and federal pipeline safety regulations, as well as compliance with Pennsylvania’s “One Call Law,” which is intended to help prevent damage to underground utility lines.
I&E’s first formal complaint against UGI alleges gas safety violations of the Public Utility Code, Commission regulations, and federal pipeline safety regulations, the release said. In its complaint, I&E seeks a civil penalty of $375,000 and numerous remedial measures by the company.
Its second formal complaint against UGI alleges a violation of PA One Call, in that the company failed to mark its facilities in response to an emergency One Call locate request. In this second formal complaint, I&E seeks an additional administrative penalty from UGI of $20,000.
The formal complaint against Pronto Plumbing also alleges violations of PA One Call and seeks an administrative penalty of $50,000, the statutory maximum.
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