Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

07/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/16/2024 09:08

PUC Safety Division Provides Update on Investigation of Deadly 2023 Rustic Ridge Incident in Plum, Allegheny County

PUC Safety Division Provides Update on Investigation of Deadly 2023 Rustic Ridge Incident in Plum, Allegheny County

Published on 7/16/2024

Filed under: GasPipeline

No Evidence of Public Utility Natural Gas Equipment Causing Devastating House Explosion in Rustic Ridge Neighborhood; PUC Experts Continue to Assist Ongoing Local Investigation

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Safety Division, part of the Commission's independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E), has concluded its investigation into the August 2023 incident in Plum Borough, Allegheny County.

Following an extensive and exhaustive investigation into this tragedy, the Safety Division found no evidence linking public utility jurisdictional assets to the cause of the deadly house explosion and fire in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood which resulted in six deaths, several injuries, the destruction of three homes and damage to other surrounding residences.

While the PUC's portion of the investigation has concluded, the Commission recognizes and deeply appreciates the profound level of concern this incident has generated within the community and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this tragic event. The PUC remains steadfast in our commitment to public safety and our Safety Division experts are available as a resource to the Allegheny County Fire Marshal and other investigators who continue examining the cause of the Rustic Ridge Drive incident.

Rustic Ridge Incident and Safety Division Investigation

On August 12, 2023, pipeline safety engineers responded to the scene of a reported explosion and house fire at 141 Rustic Ridge Drive in Plum. While firefighting and recovery efforts were still active at the scene, investigators from the Safety Division began gathering information from residents, responders, and utilities around that location.

Following the conclusion of fire and rescue activities, safety engineers worked with other state and local agencies who also responded to the incident - including the Allegheny County Fire Marshal, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Peoples Natural Gas (Peoples Gas) and other entities involved in the response to this incident.

Immediately following the incident, the Safety Division required field and laboratory testing of Peoples Gas service lines and other pertinent jurisdictional facilities and monitored integrity tests of nearby public utility natural gas service lines by crews from Peoples Gas.

The PUC safety team also conducted detailed interviews with utility employees, first responders and residents and collected and reviewed extensive data from Peoples Gas and monitored the safe restoration of electric and natural gas service to homes in the area that were not directly impacted by the explosion.

Additionally, engineers from the Safety Division assisted the fire marshal with the investigation of oil company assets near the explosion site and worked in conjunction with PA DEP to investigate other potential gas sources. While the Safety Division's authority is limited to piping that falls under the PUC's jurisdiction, the experience and expertise of safety engineers was valuable in assisting other investigators.

The focus of any further investigation of this incident involves the interior of the residence, which is outside the scope of the PUC's jurisdiction and is subject to investigation by other agencies.

Acknowledgments and Continuing Commitment

The Safety Division appreciates the cooperation of Plum Borough, the Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office, local fire and rescue personnel, the Department of Environmental Protection, and other agencies who responded to this incident. We also extend our gratitude to the residents and others impacted by this incident for their cooperation and patience during the investigation.

The PUC remains committed to ensuring public safety and will continue to serve as a resource for the ongoing investigation being conducted by local officials.

About the Safety Division and Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement

During all investigations, the Safety Division gathers and analyzes data to explore the cause and circumstances surrounding an incident, and whether there are any violations of state or federal pipeline safety regulations. Any determinations and actions are based on that information, within the scope of the PUC's jurisdiction, and any safety concerns identified by investigators are promptly addressed with regulated pipeline operators and/or utilities.

It is important to note that I&E investigations are limited - by regulation - to the involvement of, or impact from, utilities and utility systems under the jurisdiction of the PUC, along with natural gas transported by those assets. I&E does not have jurisdiction to investigate items, events, or piping beyond the outlet of a service meter within a structure.

Engineers from the Safety Division are in the field daily, conducting inspections of utility construction, operations, and integrity management activities. They also investigate issues discovered during their inspections, along with incidents, accidents, and events reported by utility operators, emergency response agencies, or the public.

I&E, as the independent investigation and enforcement bureau of the PUC, enforces state and federal pipeline safety and motor carrier safety laws and regulations and represents the public interest in ratemaking and service matters before the PUC's Office of Administrative Law Judge. I&E has the authority to bring enforcement actions, seek emergency orders from the Commission, or take other steps to enforce safety regulations and promote public safety.

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