Con Ed to Pay $1 Million to Settle Inquiry Into Fatal Explosion by Patrick McGeehan - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com

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State utilities regulators agreed on Thursday to allow Consolidated Edison to pay $1 million to end an investigation into an April 2009 gas explosion that destroyed a house in Queens and killed one of its residents.

The state’s Public Service Commission approved a settlement that calls for the utility to take the money from its shareholders and set it aside for customers.

The commission has not yet decided whether the money should be used to offset an impending increase in Con Edison’s gas rates or if it should benefit customers in another way.

The state’s Department of Public Service investigated the explosion, which occurred after Con Ed workers arrived at the site in the Floral Park neighborhood in response to a report of gas odor. A report of the investigation concluded that the company had violated its procedures for responding to gas leaks. The explosion killed Ghanwatti Boodram, 40, a nurse and the mother of three.

The $1 million settlement came in lieu of any penalties the commission might have levied against the utility for its handling of the gas leak. It is equivalent to the maximum $250,000 penalty the commission could have sought for each of the four violations Con Ed was cited for.

“This resolution of the penalty issues related to the alleged gas safety code violations obtains the maximum amount that the commission could have obtained had it fully litigated a civil penalty action in this case,” said Garry A. Brown, the public service commission chairman. “This decision is in the interest of ratepayers because it provides a direct benefit to ratepayers that could not be achieved under an enforcement action.”

In a statement, Con Edison said: “We expect today’s agreement with Public Service Commission will fund a variety of new equipment and public safety improvements that will enhance emergency response and communications.”

Assembly-member Mark Weprin Demands Investigation Into 260th Street Gas Explosion

Assemblymember Mark S. Weprin (D-Little Neck) wrote to Commissioner Garry A. Brown, New York State Public Service Commission, and to Chairman Kevin Burke, Consolidated Edison, to express serious concern regarding the powerful natural gas explosion that took the life of a young mother in Floral Park, Queens on Friday, April 24. In a joint letter with Assemblymember Kevin Cahill, Assemblymember Weprin pointed out Con Edison’s apparent lack of emergency planning and called for a full investigation, public hearings, and recommendations for improvement, all of which should be widely available to the public.

Over the weekend, several news outlets reported that a Con Edison spokesperson said that there was no protocol in place for this type of incident. “This very statement indicates that there is a serious gap in the emergency planning and implementation process,” said Assemblymember Weprin. “Both Con Edison and regulatory officials must address the situation.”

Mr. Weprin called for the review of, and a report on, the protocols that should be followed in the event of a suspected natural gas leak. He said that Con Edison should fully disclose existing policies, practices, training with regard to gas leaks; how and why procedures were or were not followed in this instance; and what recommendations are necessary to improve emergency responses. “When three children lose their mother, it is truly a tragedy,” said Mr. Weprin. “We must ensure that every appropriate precaution is taken so that no other family has to endure the loss of a loved one.”

Assemblymember Weprin noted that Con Edison is responsible for 7,200 miles of mains and service pipes for gas delivery to over one million ratepayers. “We must ensure that the company be held directly responsible for the safety of its xustomers,” he said.

Assembly-member Mark Weprin Organizes Drive to Help Family of Floral Park Mother Killed In Gas Explosion

Assemblymember Mark S. Weprin (D-Little Neck) announced that he is calling on the Eastern Queens community to come to the aid of the family of Ghanwatti Boodram, who died in a tragic gas explosion that destroyed her home in Floral Park, Queens. “When three children lose their mother, it is truly a tragedy,” said Mr. Weprin. “We must ensure that the mourning husband and three young sons have the full support and assistance of the entire community.”

Assemblymember Weprin is asking those who can help to bring gift cards or gift checks to Public School 115Q, the Glen Oaks School, where the late Ghanwatti Boodram’s sons are students. Janet Guzman, a staff member at Public School 115, will be collecting everything for the family. Her telephone number is (718) 831-4010.