Indiana gas company pays $125k fine over pipeline violations in carbon monoxide scare

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An Indiana gas provider agreed to pay a $125,000 penalty to settle pipeline safety violations that led to a carbon monoxide scare in Clark and Floyd counties in late 2022.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission issued its final order in the case in December. Besides paying the fine, CenterPoint Energy Indiana North pledged to make changes to its operations and conduct training with local first responders.

State regulators claimed CenterPoint failed to follow federal regulations when it improperly heated propane at its Jeffersonville facility, resulting in too much propane in the gas distribution system. The investigation found that the company didn’t have controls in place to prevent a mixture that “could cause improper combustion in consumer appliances.”

More than 100 calls about possible carbon monoxide exposure occurred shortly before Christmas 2022 in New Albany, Clarksville and Jefffersonville, WDRB News has previously reported. At least four people were taken to the hospital.

Regulators also cited CenterPoint for failing to properly train and have a liaison with those cities' fire departments and the Clark and Floyd counties’ emergency agencies; keep proper safety records; and make on-time reports to state officials.

The company agreed to keep its Jeffersonville liquid propane plant inoperable until it adds controls that could prevent the wrong mixture from getting into gas lines. Among other measures, it promised to conduct tests to prepare for winter energy demands.

And CenterPoint committed to providing training to the Clarksville, Jeffersonville and New Albany fire departments and work on a way to “better track individual contact” with those organizations and other emergency agencies.

CenterPoint did not immediately respond to emailed questions Thursday, including about the facility’s status. A spokeswoman told WDRB News in February 2023 that the plant would be shuttered for the rest of the year.

Clarksville Fire Chief Brandon Skaggs said CenterPoint did a training session with his department on gas safety. Skaggs was among the local officials who spoke publicly about the carbon monoxide calls in late December 2022 – a time when CenterPoint believed faulty appliances or bad ventilation were to blame, according to state records.

The company reversed its position based on the findings of a third-party report and apologized to its customers about a month later.

Skaggs said Thursday that the 2022 incidents didn’t change how his department responds, but they highlighted the importance of quickly involving other agencies like the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

“It opened our eyes that when you start seeing two and three types of runs like that, you might need to start preparing for a little bit more unified command.”

This story may be updated.