INVESTIGATORS ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THAT PERSON WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PENNSYLVANIA. REGULATORS ARE SEEKING $2.6 MILLION IN PENALTIES FROM UGI DUE TO A GAS LEAK AND DEADLY EXPLOSION AT A CHOCOLATE FACTORY IN WEST READING. THE STATE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION HAS ASKED AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE TO ISSUE THE FINES. REGULATORS ARGUE UGI GAS DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT SERVING R M PALMER COMPANY VIOLATES STATE AND FEDERAL RULES. THE MARCH 2023 BLAST KILLED SEVEN W
Pennsylvania PUC seeks $2.6 million from UGI for Berks County chocolate factory explosion
Updated: 5:24 PM EDT Mar 18, 2026
Pennsylvania regulators are seeking $2.6 million in penalties from UGI due to a gas leak and deadly explosion at a chocolate factory in West Reading, Berks County.The state Public Utility Commission has requested an administrative law judge to issue the fines.Regulators argue UGI’s gas distribution equipment serving R.M. Palmer Company violated 27 state and federal rules. Alleged pipeline safety violationsThe complaint filed by the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement alleges 27 violations of state and federal safety regulations related to UGI’s natural gas distribution system.According to the complaint, UGI allegedly:Failed to maintain accurate records and mapping for pipeline infrastructure serving the Cherry Street segment.Did not properly identify and manage risks tied to vintage plastic pipeline components, including Aldyl-A infrastructure installed in 1982.Failed to account for elevated ground temperatures from nearby heat sources, including steam lines, when designing or maintaining plastic pipeline facilities.Did not implement adequate integrity management and surveillance procedures to identify and reduce potential hazards affecting the system.Failed to maintain sufficient emergency response procedures and coordination, including communication protocols, during the initial response to the explosion.Failed to take all reasonable measures necessary to protect the public and maintain safe facilities, as required under the Public Utility Code.Explosion caused fatalities, injuries and extensive damageThe explosion and resulting fire destroyed one Palmer factory building, severely damaged another, and destroyed a nearby apartment building, displacing several families.In addition to seven workers killed in the blast, four people suffered serious injuries and six others were injured.The explosion caused approximately $42 million in property damage and prompted a large-scale emergency response involving 56 responding agencies, including fire and rescue units, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and search and rescue teams.Investigation detailsThe explosion occurred just before 5 p.m. on March 24, 2023, at the Palmer chocolate manufacturing facility located at 17 S. 2nd Ave. in the borough of West Reading.Safety engineers from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission responded and began an extensive investigation and technical analysis of the gas distribution system serving the facility.Investigators determined that natural gas leaked from a retired plastic service tee connected to a vintage Aldyl-A plastic pipeline beneath Cherry Street near the Palmer facility.The gas migrated underground and entered the factory building, where it was ignited by an unknown source.
Pennsylvania regulators are seeking $2.6 million in penalties from UGI due to a gas leak and deadly explosion at a chocolate factory in West Reading, Berks County.
The state Public Utility Commission has requested an administrative law judge to issue the fines.
Regulators argue UGI’s gas distribution equipment serving R.M. Palmer Company violated 27 state and federal rules.
Alleged pipeline safety violations
The complaint filed by the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement alleges 27 violations of state and federal safety regulations related to UGI’s natural gas distribution system.
According to the complaint, UGI allegedly:
Failed to maintain accurate records and mapping for pipeline infrastructure serving the Cherry Street segment.Did not properly identify and manage risks tied to vintage plastic pipeline components, including Aldyl-A infrastructure installed in 1982.Failed to account for elevated ground temperatures from nearby heat sources, including steam lines, when designing or maintaining plastic pipeline facilities.Did not implement adequate integrity management and surveillance procedures to identify and reduce potential hazards affecting the system.Failed to maintain sufficient emergency response procedures and coordination, including communication protocols, during the initial response to the explosion.Failed to take all reasonable measures necessary to protect the public and maintain safe facilities, as required under the Public Utility Code.Explosion caused fatalities, injuries and extensive damage
The explosion and resulting fire destroyed one Palmer factory building, severely damaged another, and destroyed a nearby apartment building, displacing several families.
In addition to seven workers killed in the blast, four people suffered serious injuries and six others were injured.
The explosion caused approximately $42 million in property damage and prompted a large-scale emergency response involving 56 responding agencies, including fire and rescue units, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and search and rescue teams.
Investigation details
The explosion occurred just before 5 p.m. on March 24, 2023, at the Palmer chocolate manufacturing facility located at 17 S. 2nd Ave. in the borough of West Reading.
Safety engineers from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission responded and began an extensive investigation and technical analysis of the gas distribution system serving the facility.
Investigators determined that natural gas leaked from a retired plastic service tee connected to a vintage Aldyl-A plastic pipeline beneath Cherry Street near the Palmer facility.
The gas migrated underground and entered the factory building, where it was ignited by an unknown source.