An Act To Improve Response to Gas Safety Emergencies
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0197
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: HINCK, ALFOND, BEAVERS, BERRY, CHIPMAN, FITTS, GOODE, LUCHINI
Amends: 35-A MRSA §4712

Legislative Document 
No. 197 
H.P. 174 
House of Representatives, January 27, 2011 
An Act To Improve Response to Gas Safety Emergencies 
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative HINCK of Portland. 
Cosponsored by Senator ALFOND of Cumberland and 
Representatives: BEAVERS of South Berwick, BERRY of Bowdoinham, CHIPMAN of 
Portland, FITTS of Pittsfield, GOODE of Bangor, LUCHINI of Ellsworth. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  35-A MRSA §4712 is enacted to read: 
§4712.  Gas emergency response 
1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, 
"natural gas event" means an explosion, fire or similar event that is caused by or involves 
natural gas controlled, transported or delivered by a gas utility or a natural gas pipeline 
utility and that causes property damage or personal injury. 
2.  Response.  Following a natural gas event, the commission shall: 
A.  Immediately seek to ensure, to the full extent of its authority and resources, that 
all evidence of the natural gas event is retained and secured; 
B.  In any commission proceeding concerning the natural gas event, afford any 
person injured by the event and any person who suffered property damage in the 
event an opportunity to address the commission regarding the event; 
C.  To the extent practicable, consistent with section 117, use any administrative 
penalties collected from a gas utility or natural gas pipeline utility for a violation of 
this Title relating to the natural gas event to equitably compensate persons not 
otherwise fully compensated for injuries or property damage suffered as a result of 
the event; and 
D.  Cooperate with and assist, to the extent reasonable and practicable, any person 
seeking recovery in a civil action against a natural gas utility or natural gas pipeline 
utility for personal injury or property damage suffered as a result of the natural gas 
event. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires the Public Utilities Commission, in the event of a natural gas 
explosion or fire or other natural gas event involving a gas utility or natural gas pipeline 
utility that results in injury to persons or damage to property, to: 
1.  Immediately seek to ensure, to the full extent of its authority and resources, that all 
evidence of the natural gas event is retained and secured; 
2. In any commission proceeding concerning the natural gas event, afford any person 
injured by the event and any person who suffered any property damage in the event an 
opportunity to address the commission regarding the event; 
3.  Use administrative penalties collected from a gas utility or natural gas pipeline 
utility for violations relating to the event to equitably compensate persons not otherwise 
fully compensated for injuries or property damage suffered as a result of the event; and 
4. Cooperate with and assist, to the extent reasonable and practicable, any person 
seeking recovery in a civil action against a natural gas utility or natural gas pipeline 
utility for personal injury or property damage suffered as a result of the event.