The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has fined utility Connecticut Natural Gas $50,000 for failing to get its lower priority leaks under control.
As part of its investigation into CNG’s staffing levels, PURA told the utility to have 60 or fewer Grade 2 leaks by the end of each year starting in 2010. At the end of 2014, CNG had 74 such leaks. Unlike a Grade 1 leak is an immediate hazard and requires a quick repair, a Grade 2 leak is non-hazardous at the time of detection but justifies a scheduled repair.
CNG did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has until May 12 to respond to the PURA decision.
PURA’s investigation found that CNG’s proposed staffing levels did not appear to hinder its ability to maintain a backlog of 50-60 Grade 2 leaks at the end of each year, but regulators did require the company to hit that milestone every year.
After having 74 leaks on Jan. 1, CNG was able to work down that backlog to 60 by Jan. 8, meaning the company was out of compliance for seven days.
