BLACK HILLS ENERGY
gas_distribution Incident — GYPSUM, CO — September 17, 2020
Incident Information
| Incident Date | September 17, 2020 |
| Operator | BLACK HILLS ENERGY |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | GYPSUM |
| State | CO |
| County | EAGLE |
| Coordinates | 39.61664, -106.95002 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE BY THIRD PARTY |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $5,000 |
| Emergency Response | $10,000 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"THIRD-PARTY CONTRACTOR WAS INSTALLING TELECOMMUNICATIONS FIBER CABLE AND STRUCK A 2 INCH PE MAIN WITH A DIRECTIONAL DRILL. THIRD-PARTY CONTRACTOR DID NOT EXPOSE THE TOLERANCE ZONE OF OTHER MARKED FACILITIES IT WAS CROSSING WITH THE DIRECTIONAL DRILL IN THE VICINITY OF THE LINE HIT LOCATION. SUCH POTHOLES WOULD HAVE DISCLOSED THE PRESENCE OF THE LINE THAT WAS HIT. NATURAL GAS MIGRATED INTO A STRUCTURE AT 50 COTTONWOOD PASS ROAD AND THE HOUSE EXPLODED, RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF AN OCCUPANT OF THE HOME. ALL LEGAL CLAIMS HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. NRC 48 HOUR INCIDENT REPORT #1287748."
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.