On October 13, the Public Utility Commission reminded stakeholders and concerned citizens across the state about the search for individuals to serve on the PUC’s Damage Prevention Committee, which is a key element of enhanced efforts to safeguard underground utilities.

The PUC is currently accepting DPC nominations for representatives from each of the following industries:

-- Non-municipally owned or affiliated facility owner industries – including natural gas and electric – nominated by facility owners or affiliated organizations (two positions),

-- Excavators – nominated by excavators or affiliated organizations (one position); and

-- Local government – nominated by local governments or affiliated organizations (one position).

Nominations will be accepted until October 30, 2020, and new DPC appointees will begin their three-year terms in 2021. Nomination forms and instructions are available on the PUC website.

Completed nomination forms should be submitted to the Secretary of the PUC, Rosemary Chiavetta, at rchiavetta@pa.gov.

Questions regarding nominations for the PUC’s Damage Prevention Committee should be directed to Kasha Schreffler, Supervisor of the PUC’s Damage Prevention Team, at kasschreff@pa.gov or 717-787-6382.

Creation of the committee was authorized by Act 50 of 2017, which enhances Pennsylvania’s Underground Utility Line Protection Act – also known as the “One Call Law.”  Appointments to the DPC will begin in 2021, and persons appointed to the DPC must have the appropriate level of expertise within the operation of Act 50.

In accordance with Act 50, membership on the DPC includes: non-municipal owned or affiliated facility owner industries, such as the electric, natural gas or petroleum pipelines, telephone, water or wastewater and cable television industries; excavators; municipal governments; and municipal authorities.

Each member shall serve a term of three years. After the term is completed, members are required to reapply for DPC membership.

The DPC is a peer-based group of 13 representatives, nominated by their industry or affiliated organization and appointed by the PUC. The DPC meets regularly to review alleged violations of Act 50 and make informal determinations as to the appropriate response including, but not limited to, the issuance of warning letters, mandatory training programs and/or administrative penalties.

Visit the PUC’s PA One Call Enforcement webpage for more information.

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

[Posted: October 13, 2020]

10/19/2020