PUC: To Seek Public Comment On Proposed Changes To Regulations For Customer-Owned Pipeline System Service Lines

On August 5, the Public Utility Commission moved to seek public comment on proposed amendments to state pipeline safety regulations which would align with federal pipeline safety regulations concerning the operation and maintenance of service lines for natural gas or other gas by pipeline.

The Commission voted 4-0 to approve the tentative implementation order and gather comments from concerned parties.

The tentative implementation order proposes revisions to clarify that a public utility pipeline operator is responsible for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the pipe, regardless of whether the service line is owned by the utility or the customer. 

The proposed revisions would also require that the public utility perform repairs or renewals of customer-owned service lines upstream of the meter, and that the public utility may bill the customer for all costs for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a customer’s service line upstream of the inlet of the meter serving the customer, in accordance with its tariff.  

The customer would be responsible for repairs or renewals downstream of the meter, and the public utility could shut off gas service until such repairs are made to ensure safe and reliable gas service.

Public Comment

The Commission is seeking comment on the proposed amendments to pipeline regulations, along with comments on a broad range of related financial and customer-service related issues, including:

-- Cost recovery for repairs and maintenance to customer-owner service lines.

-- The ability to include costs in a utility’s Distribution System Improvement Change.

-- Service termination for non-payment of costs or refusal to provide access for repairs.

-- Capitalization of costs in a utility’s base rates, rather than charging individual customers.

-- Tariff language related to billing, collection and rates.

-- Utility communication with customers about costs, billing and scheduling of repairs.

-- Access to customer property to complete required repairs.

-- Other related issues that concerned parties may wish to raise.

The tentative implementation order will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the PUC website. 

Interested parties may submit written comments at Docket No. L 2020-3019417 within 40 days of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Comments should be eFiled through the Commission’s eFiling System (per the Commission’s Emergency Order dated March 20, 2020). You may set up a free eFiling account at the Commission’s website.  Filing instructions are available on the Commission’s website.

Public documents filed relative to this proceeding will be available for inspection by searching under the docket number for this proceeding on the Commission’s website.

See PUC Docket No.: L-2020-3019417.

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[Posted: August 5, 2021]  PA Environment Digest