On March 5, the PUC announced a total of 240 disciplinary actions, including $110,575 in administrative penalties, have been taken against 90 underground facility owners, excavators and project owners in the latest enforcement actions by the Public Utility Commission’s Damage Prevention Committee. 

These actions were taken during the DPC’s February meeting.

The DPC is tasked with enforcing the state’s Underground Utility Line Protection Act – also known as the “PA One Call Law.”

 The next DPC meeting is scheduled for March 10 in Harrisburg. Each meeting is livestreamed on the PUC’s website where a meeting agenda also can be viewed.

A comprehensive list of summaries and actions from DPC meetings is available on the PUC’s website. Penalties are payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Commission will offset the costs of administering this program through the penalties collected.

Digging Safety – PA One Call

Every year, underground lines across the state are struck more than 6,000 times – which means that during the average workday a pipeline or other vital utility system is hit every 20 minutes.

While underground lines are often “out of sight and out of mind,” every hit poses a risk to the contractors and homeowners who are doing the digging; to utility workers and emergency responders who are mobilized when lines are struck; and to bystanders who live, work or travel near the locations of the incidents.

State law requires contractors and residents to contact PA One Call at least three business days prior to excavation – triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities to mark where their facilities are located.

Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the One Call system, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 1-800-242-1776.

For more information, visit the PUC’s Damage Prevention Committee webpage.

(Photo: What happens when a backhoe strikes a natural gas gathering line.)

NewsClips:

Week’s Worth Of PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - Support Local Journalism

Related Articles:

DEP Senate Budget Hearing: DEP - Coal-Fired Power Plants Are Closing Without RGGI, We Have To Confront This Issue, Help Workers, Communities

House Committee Sets March 16 Hearing On Bipartisan Community Solar Legislation

PUC Releases Reports Showing Act 129 Energy Efficiency Program Could Deliver $3 Billion In Benefits Over Next 5 Years

Penn State Extension Farm Energy Day Workshops On Energy Conservation, Renewables To Be Held At 4 Locations

The Economy As A Complement, Not Detriment To The Environment - Shell Ethane Plant

DEP To Use EPA Grant To Characterize Ambient Concentrations Of Methane In 10 Counties

[Posted: March 5, 2020]

3/9/2020