BLACK HILLS ENERGY
gas_distribution Incident — DUBUQUE, IA — September 28, 2020
Incident Information
| Incident Date | September 28, 2020 |
| Operator | BLACK HILLS ENERGY |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | DUBUQUE |
| State | IA |
| County | DUBUQUE |
| Coordinates | 42.50465, -90.67383 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE BY THIRD PARTY |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $114,328 |
| Emergency Response | $13,012 |
| Other Costs | $110,964 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2020, PRICE ELECTRIC, A HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING CONTRACTOR, STRUCK A BLACK HILLS ENERGY DISTRIBUTION LINE AT 459 LORAS BLVD, DUBUQUE, IOWA. THE LINE WAS A 2406 DRISCO PLEX PE OPERATING AT 25 PSIG. PRICE ELECTRIC POTHOLED WITHIN THE TOLERANCE ZONE OF THE LINE LOCATE BEFORE COMMENCING ITS DRILLING. PRICE THEN INSERTED THE DRILL WITHIN THE TOLERANCE ZONE AND STRUCK THE BHE GAS LINE WITHIN THE TOLERANCE ZONE LEAVING A 7 INCH LONG GOUGE/HOLE IN THE MAIN. DUBUQUE FIRE AND POLICE WERE THE FIRST RESPONDERS, AND BHE WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DUBUQUE FIRE DEPARTMENT. BHE PROMPTLY RESPONDED TO THE LINE HIT. AN INVESTIGATION WAS COMPLETED ON BEHALF OF BHE BY A 3RD PARTY, ENGINEERING SERVICES INC. IT FOUND THAT A 3RD PARTY, THE DIRECTIONAL DRILLER PRICE ELECTRIC, WAS AT FAULT DUE TO IMPROPER EXCAVATION PRACTICES. BHE'S LINE LOCATES WERE ACCURATE. THE IOWA FIRE MARSHALL ESTIMATES THE PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING THAT WAS DESTROYED AND THE SURROUNDING BUILDINGS AT $2,000,000. THE 48 HOUR NRC NUMBER IS 1288707."
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.