Natural gas utilities Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas were fined a combined $81,000 for using banned repair methods in fixing pipes, according to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
The issue stems from both companies using round band cramps to repair plastic pipes. While acceptable on steel or cast iron pipes, manufacturers of band clamps said they are not designed as permanent fixes for plastic pipes. Last year, CNG and SCG both said they would not install band clamps on plastic pipes.
In fining CNG $29,700, the PURA found the utility used band clamps on plastic pipes in repairs in West Hartford in October and Berlin in January.
In fining SCG $51,300, the PURA found the utility used band clamps on plastic pipes in repairs in Easton, Bridgeport, and Milford in May 2014
Both gas companies are subsidiaries of New Haven-based UIL Holdings Corp.
