The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission adopted an agreement between its pipeline safety staff and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) regarding the company's natural gas pipeline construction practices on June 15, 2005.
PSE agreed it violated state rules regarding the installation of polyethylene (plastic) natural gas lines. These violations were discovered between 1996 and 2000 when staff inspected new construction areas in Lacey, Puyallup and Auburn. In particular, staff found that the company did not install plastic natural gas pipe at the proper depth or with the appropriate backfill.
When informed of staff's findings, PSE responded by investigating and changing its construction and operating policies and procedures and identifying corrective actions it would take to ensure compliance with the regulations in the future.
Under the agreement, PSE's corrective actions include amending its operating manual, inspecting existing polyethylene pipe and backfill when the pipe is exposed for maintenance, repair or other reasons, and conducting more frequent leak surveys so that by 2008 all installed services will have been surveyed twice within 6 years. Current federal regulations require this type of survey be conducted once every 5 years.
For more information about this case (Docket No. 000576), see the narrative, stipulation and order in document link below.
Posted/updated: 05/16/2005
Document list:
000576 Documents Schedule Orders All
Grade Crossing Protective Fund