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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 24, 2017 12:08 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Karen Boback and Rep. Leanne Krueger |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Establishment of a Toll-Free Telephone Line for Natural Gas Pipeline Emergencies and Safety |
| In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation that would require the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to establish a toll-free hotline, so consumers can report natural gas pipeline emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As we are all aware, the PUC directs and enforces safety standards for natural gas pipelines in the Commonwealth. Although the commission provides a natural gas safety seminar for those in the industry and other interested entities, we lack a simple, dedicated hotline for citizens to report pipeline related issues. Although natural gas public utilities have emergency contact numbers for the reporting of leaks or problems, there is no SINGLE, DEVOTED toll-free number for consumers to call in an emergency. The last thing on a person’s mind when a potential gas leak occurs is trying to locate the proper number to call. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has reported that in 2016 alone, gas pipeline transmission related injuries in Pennsylvania cost the public $2,350,000 and the gas transmission industry $16,055,602. So far in 2017, public costs have reached $1,439,900. A simple phone call to a dedicated hotline may prevent injury, loss of property and or even a death. Please join us in co-sponsoring this important consumer and public safety legislation. |
Introduced as HB2007