Latest news with #StephenDeFrank
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
NTSB releases final report, recommendations after Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion
WEST READING, Pa. (WHTM) — The National Transportation Safety Board released their final report this week on a deadly explosion at a Berks County chocolate factory in 2023. The explosion rocked the R.M. Palmer Company complex in West Reading on March 24, 2023. Seven employees of the company were killed, 10 people were injured, and Building 2 of the complex was leveled. Two other buildings were also severely damaged, the NTSB said. In total, $42 million in property damage was caused. The explosion was ruled accidental. PREVIOUS COVERAGE > Pennsylvania communities holding vigil to honor chocolate factory explosion victims In the final report, investigators say the probable cause was likely a retired plastic natural gas service line and an adjacent steam pipe leak. The retired line was a stub that remained connected to the gas main. Prior to the explosion, several employees reported smelling gas, but few evacuated. The NTSB issued numerous recommendations, including that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) require employers serviced by natural gas to implement emergency procedures. They also want Pennsylvania to require pipelines transporting steam and other high-temperature materials in public rights of way to register with PA One Call. Also recommended is the installation of natural gas alarms in facilities serviced by the utility. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is also being requested to respond to a formal safety recommendation relating to the placement of emergency valves on natural gas distribution systems. 'We value the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing conversation about these safety recommendations,' PUC Chairman Stephen DeFrank said. 'The collaboration between the PUC and NTSB helps strengthen our utility systems and better protect communities across the Commonwealth.' 'From accelerated pipe replacement and advanced leak detection to stronger communication protocols, every step we take is aimed at reducing risk,' DeFrank adds. 'The most meaningful way we can honor those lost in West Reading – and in other tragic incidents – is by building a safer future.' Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices The Common Ground Alliance, which focuses on damage prevention related to underground facilities like natural gas pipelines, applauded the NTSB's recommendations. 'The long-awaited recommendations stemming from this catastrophic incident bring to light the dangers of not prioritizing underground utility line safety,' CGA President Sarah Magruder Lyle, said. This tragic incident is a reminder that everyone dealing with the transport of hazardous materials underground must work together to avoid another disaster. By recommending the widespread adoption of CGA Best Practice 3-26 on 811 center membership, the NTSB has affirmed the importance of improving damage prevention awareness and closing gaps in participation in the 811-before-you-dig process. In remembering the victims and their families, we hope that through common-sense best practices and comprehensive participation in the 811 process, lives and property will be saved.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pa. Public Utility Commission sets hearing on AI data centers' impacts on electricity
The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station is part of the Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc. (Photo via U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission) Data centers used for artificial intelligence and other aspects of the online world are likely to have a significant impact on Pennsylvania's energy economy in coming years, according to the head of the state Public Utility Commission. The PUC unanimously approved Chairperson Stephen DeFrank's motion Thursday to hold a hearing April 24 on how to protect consumers, while harnessing the opportunities for economic growth, technological advancement, electricity market stability and bolstering national security. 'Balancing concerns like these is one of the primary mandates of the commission,' DeFrank said in the motion, adding that it would be required to provide non-discriminatory access to public utilities, while guarding against undue burdens and costs for existing customers and risk to electric utilities. At least two large data center projects are in the works that have the potential to affect Pennsylvania's electrical grid. Constellation Energy announced in September a $1.6 billion investment to restart its nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island in Dauphin County. The deal wouldprovide carbon-free electricity to supply power for software giant Microsoft's AI data centers in the region. This month, Amazon Web Services announced the $650 million purchase of a data center with 1,200 acres of land adjacent to the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station nuclear power plant near Berwick, Luzerne County. AWS plans to build a data center campus that would consume as much energy as 900,000 homes. Jon Gordon, wholesale markets manager for Advanced Energy United, an association of clean energy providers, told the Capital-Star the prospect of many large data centers being located in a region introduces new variables into the economy. 'Forecasting energy demand used to be relatively straightforward. Demand grew in a straight line with economic activity,' he said. The demand from data centers could affect electricity supply and reliability when added to already increased demand from electric vehicles and heating, the retirement of fossil-fuel generating stations, the push to increase the amount of carbon-neutral energy being used, and delays in getting clean energy generation on line, Gordon said. 'We don't know how speculative these projects are and how many are actually going to come online,' he said. 'In the energy industry, we need to figure out which ones are actually going to get built.' DeFrank noted such projects may require upgrades to electrical distribution systems to connect to the grid. The PUC must ensure that if utilities pay for improvements to serve projects that ultimately do not materialize that current ratepayers are not left with the bill. 'In such cases, questions may arise about who will ultimately bear these stranded costs. Providing certainty may mean requiring deposits or other finance security, minimum contract terms, or some sort of breakage or termination fee for loads that decide not to proceed with construction,' DeFrank's motion said. The PUC also needs to provide large electricity users with certainty regarding how long it will take and how much it will cost to connect to the grid. Users willing to pay for and build system upgrades may be able to connect faster. But utilities may take a conservative approach to large projects, DeFrank said. Next month's hearing will be in Harrisburg and include panels representing electricity distribution companies, industrial customers and advocates.
