PUC Approves $700,000 Penalty For Columbia Gas Plastic Pipeline Explosion In Clarion County

On January 8, the Public Utility Commission approved a $700,000 penalty as part of a settlement regarding a natural gas explosion that occurred in the borough of Rimersburg, Clarion County, in October 2020.

The incident heavily damaged one home and prompted the temporary evacuation of nearby residents, but fortunately there were no deaths or injuries.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the joint settlement presented by Columbia Gas and the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E).

“This settlement is a critical step forward in accelerating the identification, removal, and replacement of older plastic piping across Pennsylvania’s natural gas distribution systems,” said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. “Our goal is to ensure that Pennsylvania’s infrastructure is both modern and resilient—protecting consumers while enhancing the overall reliability of natural gas service.”

Key Settlement Takeaways

In a statement, Chairman DeFrank notes that this settlement serves as a blueprint on how to effectively identify and replace older plastic pipe – requiring Columbia Gas to do the following-- 

-- Accelerate Replacement and Testing of Vintage Plastic Pipe: Columbia Gas will expedite the replacement of older plastic pipe and conduct additional annual testing on first-generation plastic fusion joints to better identify and mitigate risks associated with these pipes.

-- Coordinate with Other Pipeline Replacement Efforts: The accelerated replacement work on vintage plastic piping will be carried out in a manner that does not impede or delay existing efforts to remove cast iron, wrought iron, bare steel, and unprotected coated steel lines.

-- Enhance Training for Field Personnel and Supervisory Staff: Columbia Gas will institute updated training and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) protocols to bolster recordkeeping, leak repair processes, and overall safety oversight.

-- Improve its Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP): Revisions to Columbia Gas’s DIMP will provide more rigorous risk assessments and documentation, with special emphasis on analyzing older plastic materials to prevent potential failures.

-- Expand Failure Data Evaluation: The company will analyze data from all failures involving vintage plastic pipe, including visually unacceptable fusions found during repairs or inspections. Any fusion deemed visually unacceptable will undergo testing.

Additionally, Columbia Gas will pay a $700,000 civil penalty, which will not be recovered as part of any future ratemaking proceeding and is not tax deductible.

Incident Background

Investigators concluded that the natural gas leak resulting in the 2020 explosion was caused by a failed butt fusion on a 2-inch plastic main in front of the incident site – where two pieces of pipe were joined.

Shortly after the explosion, Columbia Gas began installing a new plastic main in the vicinity of the incident site, abandoning the existing plastic and bare steel mains.  The installation and construction of that new main was completed by the spring of 2021.

Documents related to this case can be found at PUC Docket No.: C-2023-3043425.

Click Here for the PUC announcement.

NewsClips:

-- Inquirer: PUC Settles Case With PGW Over Deadly 2019 Gas Explosion In South Philly

-- WHYY: Philly Neighborhood Residents Sue PGW, PECO, City  And Neighbors Over Massive 2023 Gas Explosion That Leveled Homes

Resource Link:

-- ExploreClarion.com: Rimersburg House Explosion Ruled Accidental

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboard

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 21 to 31 - Record Number Conventional, Shale Gas Abandoned Well Violations In 2024; Gas Storage Area Well Leaks  [PaEN] 

-- PUC Approves $700,000 Penalty For Columbia Gas Plastic Pipeline Explosion In Clarion County  [PaEN] 

-- PUC Approves Settlement In 2019 Philadelphia Gas Works Explosion That Killed 2, Displaced 60 Residents [PaEN]

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[Posted: January 8, 2025]  PA Environment Digest