David L Armstrong

Steven L Beshear
Governor
Leonard K. Peters

Secretary
Energy and Environment Cabins

Chairman

Commonwealth of Kentucky

James W. Gardner
Vice Chairman

Public Service Commission

211 Sower Blvd.
P.O. Box 615

Daniel E. Logsdon, Jr.

Commissioner

Frankfort, Kentucky 40602-0615

Telephone: (502) 564-3940
Fax: (502) 564-3460

psc.l^.gov

July 9, 2015
Mr. Herbert Miller
President

Columbia Gas of Kentucky Inc.

2001 Mercer Road

Lexington, KY 40511
Mr. Timothy McKune
Operation Compliance Manager
Columbia Gas of Kentucky Inc.
2001 Mercer Road

Lexington, KY 40511

Re:

Fairfield Inn 9/7/2014

Gas Explosion
Dear Mr. Miller and Mr. McKune:

Columbia Gas of Kentucky Inc. ("Columbia") reported the above incident on

September 7, 2014, to Commission investigator Bill Aitken.
KRS 278.495 grants the Commission authority to regulate the safety of natural
gas facilities owned or operated by any public utility, county, or city and used to
distribute natural gas at retail. KRS 278.030 requires every utility to fumish adequate,
efficient and reasonable service. KRS 278.992 establishes the penalties for violations
of any minimum safety standard adopted by the United States Department of
Transportation pursuant to the federal pipeline safety laws.

Upon review of Columbia's report and the details of the Incident, and finding no
indications of compliance issues related to any Commission enforced statutes or
regulations, it has been determined that no further review is needed regarding this
incident and this matter will be considered closed. Attached hereto is a copy of the

Commission Staff Incident Investigative Report. As a completed investigation, this

report is now a public record that is subject to open records requests pursuant to KRS
61.872.

KentuckyUnbridledSplrttcom

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D

Mr. Miller and Mr. McKune

July 9, 2015
Page 2

Public safety is always a priority of the Commission. While the Commission did
not find any violations, the Commission recommends that Columbia review this incident
to determine if there are any additional safety precautions which could be implemented
to prevent this type of occurrence in the future. Columbia should also review its Original
Incident Report to PHMSA and issue a Final Report to PHMSA, with a copy to the
Commission. The Commission further recommends that Columbia review the PHMSA

Notice of Proposed Rule Making for Excess Flow Valves ("EFV"), which would require
EFV's to be installed on all new and renewed gas service lines in applications other
than single-family residences and determine which procedures it will need to modify to
be in compliance with the Rule once it becomes effective.

If you have any questions, concerns or need additional information, please feel
free to contact Jonathan Beyer, Commission counsel, at (502) 564-3940.

ncwely.

Jerouen

jtecutive Director

Enclosure