Kentucky Utility to Pay Penalty After House Explosion

A Louisville, Ky., utility has agreed to pay a $125,000 penalty to settle allegations by the Public Service Commission of safety violations after a house explosion.

The PSC said in a statement Tuesday that it has suspended another $125,000 in penalties against LG&E while it completes several requirements in the settlement agreement. The PSC says it is the largest penalty it has assessed in a safety case. The violations alleged problems with LG&E’s emergency response and gas line pressure.

No people were seriously injured in the 2011 explosion, but a dog in the home was killed and nearby property was damaged.

After the explosion, fire investigators determined that a water leak put a hole in a gas main, causing gas to leak. The cause of the water leak hasn’t been determined.