LOGAN CALLS FOR PUC TO MOVE FROM INFORMAL TO FORMAL INVESTIGATION OF EXPLOSION


Logan

MONROEVILLE, March 7 – State Sen. Sean Logan (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today called on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to conduct a Formal Investigation into the deadly natural gas explosion in Plum Borough on Wednesday.

            “This explosion is a catastrophe and the PUC needs to thoroughly investigate and get answers to prevent this type of disaster from happening again in the future,” Logan said.  “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were affected by the tragedy.”

            Sen. Logan will be at the site of the explosion with staff of the PUC today at 2:30 p.m. to view the devastation.

            In a letter to the PUC, Logan said the Commission needs to immediately investigate this explosion and examine all operations of Dominion Peoples’ as it pertains to their gas lines.

            “I am calling on the PUC to take all necessary steps to immediately ensure that an explosion of this magnitude does not happen again in Pennsylvania,” Logan said. “We cannot jeopardize the health and safety of Pennsylvania families.”

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Editor’s note: A copy of Sen. Logan’s letter to the PUC is attached.

March 7, 2008

Secretary James McNulty
PA Public Utility Commission
2nd Floor North, Commonwealth Keystone Building
Harrisburg, PA  17110

Dear Secretary McNulty:

As you are aware, a natural gas explosion occurred on Mardi Gras Drive in Plum Borough, Allegheny County, on March 5, 2008 causing the death of a grandfather and serious injuries to his 4-year old granddaughter.  In addition, fifteen homes were damaged including at least one that must be demolished.

According to Section 331 of the Public Utility Code (66 Pa.C.S.A. §  331), the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has the ability to “investigate and examine the condition and management of any public utility.”  With that said, it is my understanding that past practices indicate that the PUC would conduct an Informal Investigation following this type of situation.  If an Informal Investigation is ongoing, by this correspondence, I am respectfully requesting the following: 

  • that the PUC move from an Informal Investigation to a Formal Investigation immediately.

If an Informal Investigation is not occurring, I respectfully request: 

  • that the PUC take the necessary steps to begin a Formal Investigation as soon as possible.

I also would request that the Formal Investigation include a penalty phase and remediation mandates if warranted.

Additionally, I am requesting that once the Formal Investigation begins, it moves beyond this one instance and examines all operations of Dominion Peoples’ as it pertains to their gas lines.  Specifically, I would request that the issues to be reviewed include but not be limited to the following: 

1.      whether adequate staffing levels exist to perform necessary inspections;

2.      whether proper training exists for employees that perform inspections;

3.      whether adequate resources are set aside for necessary capital improvements;

4.      whether the public receives adequate notice if problems are identified;

5.      whether emergency response officials receive adequate notice if problems are identified; and

6.      whether new technology could be utilized to help identify areas that are in need of repair. 

Thank you in advance for your attention to this request.  Let me also take this opportunity to inform you that under a separate cover, I will be requesting investigations of other natural gas providers in hopes of preventing another catastrophe like the one in Plum Borough. 

If you have any questions regarding the contents of this letter or about the investigation desired, please contact me directly at (412) 380-2242. 

Sincerely, 

Sean Logan
State Senator 

CC:       Chairman Wendell Holland, PUC
             Vice Chairman James Cawley, PUC
             Commissioner Tyrone Christy, PUC
             Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli, PUC
             Chief Counsel Buck Pankiw, PUC
             Director Robert Wilson, PUC Bureau of Fixed Utility Services
             Director Mike Hoffman, PUC Bureau of Transportation and Safety
             Director June Perry, PUC Legislative Affairs
             Thomas Farrell, II, Chairman, President and CEO of Dominion Peoples’