The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has rejected a proposed settlement with Columbia Gas regarding a natural gas explosion that destroyed a home in Washington County in 2019, injuring several people and damaging other nearby homes. The explosion happened at 100 Park Lane and was caused by the over-pressurization of the house piping and appliances because Columbia Gas had failed to equip the home with a service regulator. In Thursday’s motion, the chairman raised a series of concerns following review of the settlement along with public comments that were received about the settlement – which had proposed a civil penalty of $990,000, along with corrective actions by Columbia Gas. Per the motion, the Commission is seeking to further develop the record in this case before rendering a decision, including, whether any remedial measures stemming from a 2018 over-pressurization event in Massachusetts were recommended for Columbia Gas of PA and, if so, whether they were effectuated – which could be relevant to the Pennsylvania case; an estimated timeline for completion of each of the corrective actions proposed in this settlement, and an accounting of the monetary damage caused by the explosion and if Columbia Gas ratepayers are responsible for the financial liability, which is a factor in determining civil penalties.