US EditionPennsylvania Regulators Seek $2.6 Million in Penalties for Deadly 2023 Chocolate Factory Explosion
Pennsylvania regulators allege 27 safety violations by UGI Utilities linked to the March 2023 explosion that killed seven workers and caused $42 million in damages.
- The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission asked an administrative law judge to impose $2.6 million in civil penalties against UGI for safety violations at the R.M. Palmer factory, filed this past Wednesday.
- Investigators traced the blast to a plastic service part in the street that allowed gas to migrate underground into the factory and ignite after workers reported smelling gas.
- I&E's complaint asserts 27 alleged violations and requests corrective action including smart remote methane detection systems, increased leak surveys for older plastic pipeline fittings, and improved emergency response coordination.
- The explosion destroyed a factory building and a nearby apartment, causing about $42 million in property damage and injuring ten, including four seriously, with survivors enduring severe injuries.
- Coming about three years after the March 2023 explosion, the complaint submitted this past Wednesday will be reviewed by the Pennsylvania Utility Commission's Office of Administrative Law Judge, while UGI said it is reviewing the complaint, expressed sympathy, and will respond.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Pa. regulators seek penalties following deadly 2023 chocolate factory explosion in West Reading
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has filed a complaint against gas distributor UGI in connection with the deadly chocolate factory explosion in West Reading, Berks County, in March of 2023.
Pennsylvania Seeks $2.6M Penalty Over Deadly Factory Explosion
HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania regulators are seeking $2.6 million in civil penalties against UGI Utilities over a 2023 natural gas explosion at a chocolate factory that killed seven workers and caused widespread damage. The complaint, filed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, alleges 27 safety violations tied to the company’s gas distribution system. The March 2023 explosion at the R.M. Palmer Company facility in West Reading destroye…
Pennsylvania regulators seek $2.6M in penalties for deadly 2023 chocolate factory explosion
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania regulators asked an administrative law judge on Wednesday to make a gas utility pay $2.6 million in civil penalties for a chocolate factory explosion three years ago that killed seven workers and sent flames shooting into…
PUC seeks $2.57M from utility following deadly 2023 chocolate factory explosion in Berks County
An area photo of the destroyed R.M. Palmer Company chocolate factory in West Reading shortly after a deadly 2023 explosion. (Photo from Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's Investigation and Enforcement complaint)The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission filed a formal complaint against UGI Utilities, Inc. following an investigation into the March 2023 explosion at a chocolate factory that killed seven workers and injured ten others in Berk…
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