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PURA adopts consent order against Southern Connecticut Gas; chairman objects to settlement terms
Summary
PURA adopted an order on consent assessing a $100,000 civil penalty against Southern Connecticut Gas for pipeline safety violations in Hamden and approved a settlement directing the penalty to reduce eligible customers’ arrearages; Chairman Tom Weil said he opposed limiting benefits to a subset of customers, and Commissioner Everett Smith voted "No."
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority adopted an order on consent June 17, 2026, resolving pipeline safety violations by Southern Connecticut Gas Company in Hamden with a civil penalty of $100,000 and a settlement directing the company to use the funds to reduce the arrearages of customers with financial hardship (up to $1,000 per account).
Legal Director Scott Musco summarized the gas pipeline safety unit’s investigation and said the Authority issued a notice of violation in May after identifying possible violations at two Hamden locations. The company requested a hearing but later filed a motion asking the authority to approve a settlement with the Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC). "Under that settlement, the company will direct $100,000 to reduce the arrearages of customers with financial hardship up to a maximum of $1,000 per account," Musco said. Staff recommended approval of the consent order via a motion ruling.
Chairman Tom Weil publicly commended the pipeline safety unit and staff for their work but said he did not support the final decision to approve the settlement because he believes the fine proceeds should benefit all Southern Connecticut Gas customers rather than a subset. "I do not support the final decision to approve the settlement... as I believe the proceeds of the fine should benefit all SCG customers, not just a subset of customers," Weil said.
Following discussion, commissioners voted to adopt the motion ruling; the roll call recorded Commissioner Everett Smith voting "No" and the other listed commissioners voting to adopt the consent order. The consent order modifies the original notice of violation to incorporate terms of the settlement and will be deemed a final order upon the company's withdrawal of its request for a hearing.
Next steps: the consent order takes effect when the company withdraws its request for a hearing and will be implemented per the settlement’s terms. The authority did not record further conditions or alternative distributions of the penalty funds at the meeting.
