The Corporation Commission approved an order to serve a complaint on KGS after a property owner alleged the utility refused to restore service to multiple homes in Newton following detection of gas near one dwelling.

Weave State Investments filed the complaint in docket 26KGSG101COM, saying the company owns 14 homes in Newton, 12 of which are occupied, and that KGS cut service after detecting gas near one property in August. "Back in August, KGS detected gas above ground near 1 of the homes and temporarily shut off service, to investigate," Erin, the presenter for the item, told the commission. She said KGS restored service briefly and then shut it off again on Aug. 22 for further testing by KGS and KDHE.

Erin told commissioners that KDHE installed slab ventilation in the homes and that "even though there was there has been no positive gas detection since August 22, they were refusing to restore service." Commission staff recommended the complaint meet the prima facie standard and be served on KGS for an answer under the commission's procedural rules. Commissioner Keane moved approval of the order; the motion received a second and the commission approved the order with recorded "aye" votes.

The commission's action directs that the complaint be served on KGS so the utility may respond to the allegations and any factual dispute can be addressed through the formal docket. The meeting record does not include KGS's response or a timetable for restoration; those will be decided after KGS files an answer and the commission adjudicates the matter if needed.