It has been one year since a tragic gas explosion rocked the City of Allentown, killing five people and destroying a city block. Since then, many improvements have been made to pipeline safety, but many say that the work is still being done too slowly. What's the reality?
Joining us for the show is:
- Mayor Ed Pawlowski
- Edward Morrison, President, Old Allentown Preservation Association
- Karen Grabowski, Allentown Gas Explosion Victim
- Ed Grabowski, Allentown Gas Explosion Victim
- Diane Krause, Allentown Gas Explosion Victim
- Tim Darragh, Morning Call
UGI declined to appear on the show, but they did release the following statement:
STATEMENT OF ROBERT BEARDPRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, UGI UTILITIES
January 2012
Nearly one year ago, a natural gas explosion occurred near the intersection of 13th and Allen Streets in Allentown. All of us at UGI and many in Allentown still feel the impact of that incident as if it had occurred days, rather than months, ago. Once again, on behalf of all of us at UGI, we offer our sincere condolences to the Hall and Cruz families who lost loved ones that day. We also keep in our thoughts all of those who lost loved ones, friends and neighbors on February 9, 2011.
UGI Utilities has been working diligently to resolve any and all claims arising from the February 9 incident so that those directly impacted are compensated fairly and reasonably for their losses. At this time, UGI Utilities has resolved more than 80% of claims arising from the incident and we are moving forward with efforts to resolve remaining claims.
Over the past twelve months, UGI has provided information and support to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) on the official investigation regarding the February 9 incident. The investigation is ongoing and efforts are still underway to gather the data that will help us identify the likely cause or causes of the explosion.
Safety is always our focus at UGI - the safety of our customers, our communities and our employees. UGI’s system design is safe, compliant, and meets customers’ needs. UGI operates and maintains its natural gas system in a safe, reliable manner. As part of maintaining its system, UGI upgrades natural gas pipeline facilities as needed. In 2011, UGI Utilities spent approximately $43 million dollars on natural gas main and service replacement. In Allentown, more than 7 miles of cast iron main was replaced by contemporary materials, mainly plastic, in 2011.
It is our responsibility to safely deliver natural gas to our customers and we take that responsibility seriously. We are committed to working closely with the Pennsylvania PUC, our industry partners, and officials at the federal, state and local level to enhance gas system safety.
