Atmos stipulation on fatal Hall explosion before PSC Tuesday

ATLANTA - The Georgia Public Service Commission Tuesday will consider acceptance of a stipulation with Atmos Energy to resolve issues involving a fatal explosion in Gainesville late last year.

The December 17 incident at a house on Tate Street fatally injured one man, Alejandro Lopez, and seriously injured another. Lopez died of his injuries a month later.

The stipulation, as proposed, requires Atmos to fund a statewide natural gas public safety
education initiative in English and Spanish at a cost of $195,000.

The PSC has been considering alleged safety violation by Atmos related to the company's maintenance and repair of its natural gas pipeline system.

Atmos officials have said they were cooperating in the investigation. Atmos previously operated under the name United Cities Gas Company, and provides natural gas service to most of Gainesville.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/5/179312