Gas pipeline company explains explosion

By TOM KANE

MILFORD, PA – The Columbia Gas Transmission Company (CGTC) sent a letter on December 4 responding to the Pike County Commissioners’ concern over the gas pipeline explosion that occurred on November 5 near the intersection of I-84 and Route Six outside of Milford.

The explosion occurred as the company was increasing the pressure on the pipeline under testing protocols. The gas line was immediately closed down. No one was injured, but the explosion occurred within the very sensitive Sawkill Watershed, tearing up some of the topography of the site.

Witnesses compared the geyser to Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.

As further requested in the Pike letter, the company also explained how they were repairing the gas line and how they will avoid occurrences of these kinds of explosions in the future.

“In order to determine any and all contributing factors, the investigation will include a full analysis of all the data,” said Stan Durany, CGTC regional director.

To avoid any future explosions, the company will resume operations at the pressure approved prior to testing only gradually.

The investigation is being conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

“At this time, the best information available is that the issue was limited to that site and the new pipe installed in its place will prevent a reoccurrence,” Durany said.

“We are monitoring the movement of heavy equipment across the Sloat Brook and into the wetlands, focusing on the company’s attempts to maintain erosion control and the restoration of vegetation before they leave,” said Susan Beecher, director of the conservation district. “I must say that they are doing a very good job in handling things at the site.”

The company dammed up the creek, diverted the water in another direction and built sediment tanks to control the dirty water, she said.

“Besides issuing the permit, we are monitoring the work procedures there,” said Mark Carmon, DEP spokesman. “We want to insure that they restore the topography of the watershed. As gas drilling increases in the area, the DEP is putting in place procedures in handling hazardous incidents like this.”