The settlement, approved by a vote of 5-0, resolves an investigation and formal complaint filed by the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E), which averred that gaps in the company’s emergency response and related procedures contributed to unsafe conditions.
According to the record, the incident occurred after a contractor struck a natural gas main during drilling operations.
A natural gas explosion occurred at a residence along Pennsylvania Avenue, resulting in one death, injuries to multiple individuals – including a Peoples employee – and the destruction or severe damage of several homes.
I&E’s complaint alleged that Peoples failed to take adequate steps to minimize the hazards of released gas and did not use every reasonable effort to protect the public, along with multiple additional violations related to emergency response procedures, training, and post-incident actions.
Settlement Terms
-- Under the approved settlement, Peoples will:
-- Pay a $325,000 civil penalty to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
-- Provide a $50,000 donation to support the purchase and distribution of methane detectors for local fire departments and the surrounding community.
-- Not seek recovery of the civil penalty or donation through future rates.
In addition to the financial components, the settlement requires a series of corrective actions and safety improvements, including:
-- Enhancements to call center and operations procedures, including new requirements to identify potential pipeline damage and coordinate emergency notifications with 911.
-- Updated protocols for on-site emergency response, including escalation procedures when facility damage is suspected.
-- Expanded and standardized training programs, including the use of third-party expertise and ongoing emergency simulations.
-- Improvements to documentation, incident reporting, and internal reviews, including compliance with federal reporting requirements.
-- Strengthened coordination with emergency responders and electric utilities during incident response.
-- Additional oversight of excavation activities, including monitoring of trenchless construction methods and contractor compliance.
These measures are designed to improve the company’s ability to respond to emergency conditions, enhance coordination with first responders, and reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
Documents related to this case can be found at PUC Docket No: C-2024-3050319.
Click Here for the PUC announcement.
[Posted: March 26, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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