PUC Approves Settlement with Peoples Natural Gas Company Related to Deadly 2021 Explosion in Tyrone Borough

PUC Approves Settlement with Peoples Natural Gas Company Related to Deadly 2021 Explosion in Tyrone Borough

Published on 3/26/2026

Filed under: Electric

Settlement includes $325,000 civil penalty, safety enhancements, and funding for methane detectors

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a settlement with Peoples Natural Gas Company LLC (Peoples) related to a July 26, 2021, natural gas explosion in Tyrone Borough, Blair County, that resulted in one fatality, multiple injuries, and significant property damage.

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.

Background

The PUC's Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement filed the complaint following an investigation by the Commission's Pipeline Safety Division, which responded to the scene and conducted a detailed review of the incident and the company's actions. The settlement resolves all allegations in the case and reflects a negotiated agreement between the parties that the Commission determined to be in the public interest.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC's website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the "Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission" or "PA PUC" on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket No.: C-2024-3050319

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  [email protected]