The Pennsylvania PUC’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement has filed a complaint against UGI following the deadly 2023 explosion at R.M. Palmer Company.
READING, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has filed a complaint against UGI following an investigation into a deadly explosion at a chocolate factory in West Reading.
Seven workers died, and 10 others were hurt in the explosion at R.M. Palmer Company back in March of 2023.
An investigation determined that natural gas leaked from a retired plastic service tee connected to a vintage plastic pipeline under Cherry Street near the facility. Gas migrated underground and entered the factory building, where it was then ignited by an unknown source.
The complaint filed on Wednesday alleges multiple violations of the Public Utility Code, Commission regulations, and federal pipeline safety standards related to the design, operation, and oversight of UGI’s gas distribution facilities serving the factory.
I&E is seeking $2,576,627 in civil penalties and a series of safety reforms.