Natural gas utilities operating in Pennsylvania could soon have stricter regulations regarding pipeline maintenance. The Pa. Public Utility Commission is currently accepting comment on the new proposal, which is intended to bring the state standards more in line with federal regulations. For more, read on.
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Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission plans to expand oversight rules on natural gas pipelines
THE EXPRESS-TIMES
By Tom Zanki
Thursday, February 9, 2012
State regulators are moving toward stricter oversight of natural gas pipelines, though officials say that effort began before the Allentown explosion that killed five people one year ago today.
“We’ve been really taking a close look, partly because of some of the tragic incidents, but also because of the expansion of Marcellus Shale in the state,” said Jennifer Kocher, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
The PUC is currently accepting public comment on a proposal that would require natural gas utilities to annually submit pipeline replacement and performance plans.
If the new rules — proposed on Nov. 10 — take effect, utilities with intrastate operating revenues of more than $40 million would have to file plans this spring or summer with final approval scheduled for late 2012 or early 2013.
