Iowa regulators say they’re investigating “company-wide safety issues” statewide in the natural gas operations of Black Hills Energy, which provides service to more than 160,000 customers in the state.
The Iowa Utilities Commission cited slow repairs, damaged distribution pipelines and a high volume of alleged violations presenting an unusual level of “public peril.” The investigation grew out of a more routine local inspection that began a year ago and expanded as officials became alarmed at the problems they were finding.
“The sheer number of violations, delays in making necessary corrections, and the increased risk to public safety prompted the IUC to broaden its investigation,” the board said Monday in a news release.
While explosions on large natural gas transmission lines get more attention, accidents on distribution lines owned by local gas utilities kill and injure far more people every year.
