AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine Public Utilities Commission has recommended that Summit Natural Gas pay a $250,000 fine as penalty for a natural gas leak that was discovered in Augusta in February.
The Kennebec Journal reported (http://bit.ly/1WEKkQC ) PUC’s Gas Safety staff took several factors into consideration for its recommendation, including the violation’s severity, the company’s history of prior offenses and any efforts made to achieve compliance.
The commission noted in its findings that the incident had the potential to cause “multiple fatalities.” The notice stated that Summit’s failure to “excavate or otherwise protect” underground electrical lines resulted in the migration of gas through the leak.
Deputy Fire Chief David Groder described the leak as being one of the largest he’s seen in the area.
Attempts to reach Summit officials for comment were unsuccessful.
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