PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC & GAS CO
gas_distribution Incident — PRINCETON TOWNSHIP, NJ — March 20, 2013
Incident Information
| Incident Date | March 20, 2013 |
| Operator | PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC & GAS CO |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | PRINCETON TOWNSHIP |
| State | NJ |
| County | MERCER |
| Coordinates | 40.36753, -74.65671 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE BY THIRD PARTY |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $5,000 |
| Emergency Response | $10,000 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"ON MARCH 20, 2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:45 A.M., TOP LINE CONSTRUCTION CORP. WORKFORCES WERE EXCAVATING THE EXISTING ROAD SURFACE ON EWING STREET, PRINCETON TOWNSHIP WITH A MILLING MACHINE, AS PART OF AN ONGOING ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR PRINCETON TOWNSHIP. DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS WORK STRUCK AN UNMARKED GAS MAIN 3/4 INCH DRIP RISER THAT WAS BURIED AND PAVED OVER WITH THE MILLING MACHINE'S DRUM. THE MILLING MACHINE IGNITED AS A RESULT OF THE CONTACT AND BURNED FOR SEVERAL HOURS, UNTIL PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC AND GAS COMPANY (""PSE&G"") ISOLATED THE MAIN AND SHUT-OFF THE GAS. AS A RESULT, FIVE RESIDENCES WERE WITHOUT SERVICE UNTIL THE MILLING MACHINE COULD BE REMOVED AND GAS FACILITIES REPAIRED. GAS SERVICE WAS RESTORED AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 P.M. AT NIGHT."
About This Pipeline Incident
Pipeline incident data is reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). All significant incidents involving fatalities, injuries, or property damage over $50,000 must be reported.