BERKS COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — The Pennsylvania House passed two bills to address natural gas safety in the wake of a deadly explosion at the R.M. Palmer chocolate factory in 2023.
Two bipartisan bills were introduced by state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks after it was found that the explosion was likely caused by a degraded natural gas connection.
Seven people were killed and ten others were injured at the factory.
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“As we approach the three-year anniversary of the devastating R.M. Palmer factory explosion, we continue to feel the impact it had on our community, including the loss of seven of our neighbors,” said Cepeda-Freytiz. “The measures outlined in these bills will save lives and ensure that we learn from this tragedy, so no one else has to suffer as our community has.”
House Bill 1525 would require owners and operators of pipelines transporting steam in public rights-of-way to register with the Pennsylvania One Call system.
House Bill 1526 would require the PUC to work with natural gas pipeline operators to address threats to degrading plastic pipelines.
Additionally, House Bill 1522 would require buildings that use natural gas to install alarms to detect leaks.