The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) said it has fined The Yankee Gas Services Co. $25,000 for violations related to a November gas main leak in East Granby.
The fine, which Yankee can appeal, stems from a Nov. 1 incident during which a contractor for Yankee installed an incorrect style of mechanical fitting during a gas main tie-in procedure, according to PURA.
The “seal only” fitting slipped off moments after installation, causing high-pressure blowing gas that forced the local fire department to evacuate 50 Larch Drive residents from their homes, as well as a nearby business, PURA said.
PURA said the job required a “seal and restraint” fitting, and that the contractor’s use of the wrong kind of fitting violated federal pipeline safety standards. Two more violations levied by PURA are related to the contractor’s failure to properly inspect the fitting.
Yankee has since retrained its contractors and alerted employees to the differences between the two seals, PURA said.
