HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — State legislators advanced a bill Wednesday to require natural gas alarms in the wake of the explosion that leveled part of a Berks County chocolate factory.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives advanced House Bill 1522 on Wednesday.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D-Berks), would require natural gas alarms be installed in business, residences, and other buildings using natural gas.
It comes after an explosion flattened part of the R.M. Palmer chocolate factory in West Reading. Legislators say a natural gas leak was a root cause of the explosion that killed seven and injured ten.
“Three years after this tragedy, and one year after the investigation concluded, we have now passed the final bill addressing its cause,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “There is an empty space in our community left by the seven lives we lost that day. Their families deserve action—action that ensures no other community has to endure the same heartbreak. I will continue to push for these bills as they move through the Senate.”
The bill is the third introduced in response to the explosion, following House Bill 1525 which would require owners and operators of steam pipelines to register with the Pennsylvania One Call System and House Bill 1526 which would require the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to work with natural gas pipeline operators to address threats to degrading plastic pipelines.
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All three bills are now awaiting consideration in the Senate.
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