Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2024-10-03 — NY
Operator
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp
Cause
Incorrect Operation
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$752,810
Incident datetime
2024-10-03 00:00 UTC
Report number
Location
NY, DUTCHESS COUNTY
Narrative
On tuesday september 3, 2024, two central hudson gas mechanics were performing a monthly regulator station inspection at the hopewell gas regulator station near 6 crest ct. Hopewell junction ny. The regulator station is constructed with two regulator runs in parallel with one relief valve serving as the overpressure protection device. The regulator station reduces pressure from the mp transmission pipeline (maop 750 psig) to 120 psig to serve the hh gas distribution system. The transmission pipeline was operating at approximately 425 psig and the distribution system at approximately 114 psig at the time of the incident. The regulator station is located in close proximity to overhead transmission electric lines. During the monthly inspection, a leak on a fitting at the vortex heater was discovered. The gas mechanic decided to isolate the vortex heater to make the necessary repairs. During the attempt to isolate the heater, the gas mechanic closed a series of valves on the pilot supply line of the regulator which caused the regulator to go wide open. As a result, the pressure downstream of the regulator increased and exceeded the set pressure of the relief valve. The relief valve operated and began to vent natural gas to atmosphere. Shortly after the gas started venting, the released gas from relief valve stack ignited. The intensity of the pressure and heat from the flame posed an immediate danger to both gas mechanics on site. The employees were able to safely exit the station and alert surrounding residences and emergency services, and evacuate people from their homes. One gas mechanic went to the hospital for evaluation as a precaution. The number of evacuations provided in this report is estimated and is based on the number of buildings on crest ct. Shortly after the natural gas ignition, the overhead electric burnt and fell to the ground adjacent to the regulator station. The electric department was contacted and responded to remediate the hazard. To extinguish the fire, the regulator station was isolated from all sources of gas by closing transmission line valves on the mp pipeline and closing a distribution line valve on the hh line. The fire extinguished itself once the gas supply ran out. Natural gas customers served from the hh pipeline were not interrupted as this pipeline is served by additional natural gas regulator stations. The 491 customers that were interrupted were fed from different regulator stations fed from the mp line within the isolation zone that was blown down. The majority were restored the next day.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2024-10-03 00:00:00
Iyear
2024.0
Report Number
20240053.0
Supplemental Number
40064.0
Report Type
Original
Operator Id
2196
Name
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp
Operator Street Address
284 South Avenue
Operator City Name
Poughkeepsie
Operator State Abbreviation
NY
Operator Postal Code
12601.0
Time Zone
Eastern
Daylight Savings Ind
Yes
Location Street Address
6 Crest Ct
Location City Name
Hopewell Junction
Location County Name
Dutchess County
Location State Abbreviation
NY
Location Postal Code
12533.0
Location Latitude
41.572792
Location Longitude
-73.836161
Flow Cont Key Crit Ind
Yes
Flow Cont Other Ind
Yes
Flow Cont Other Detail
Valves On Transmission Pipeline Inspected With Part 192.745
Nrc Rpt Num
1409823.0
Additional Nrc Report Numbers
1410110.0
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
3078.0
Intentional Release
0.0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Ignite Ind
Yes
How Extinguished
Allowed To Burn Out
Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf
3078
Explode Ind
Yes
Num Pub Evacuated
14.0
Communication State Fed Ind
Yes
Party Initiated Communication
Local/state/federal Emergency Responder
Federal
No
Location Type
Utility Right-Of-Way / Easement
Incident Area Type
Aboveground
Incident Area Subtype
Typical Aboveground Facility Piping Or Appurtenance (E.g. Value Or Regulator Station, Outdoor Meter Set)
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Investor Owned
System Part Involved
District Regulator/metering Station
Installation Year
2002.0
Manufactured Year
2002.0
Material Involved
Steel
Steel Seam Type
Longitudinal Erw - High Frequency
Wt Steel
0.28
Release Type
Other
Release Type Details
Relief Valve At Regulator Station Operated.
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
10680.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
752810.0
Est Cost Emergency
549013.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Gas Cost In Mcf
3.7693
Est Cost Unintentional Release
11602.0
Est Cost Intentional Release
0.0
Prpty
1324105.0
Commercial Affected
37.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
454.0
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght
1.0
Num Injured Treated By Emt
0.0
Num Resident Building Affctd
37.0
Num Business Building Affctd
454.0
Accident Psig
122.67
Normal Psig
114.0
Mop Psig
120.0
Mop Cfr Section
192.619(A)(2)
Maop Established Date
2002-09-25 00:00:00
Accident Pressure
Pressure Exceeded Maop, But Did Not Exceed The Applicable Allowance In 192.201
Gas Odorized System Type
Injection Pump
Gas Odorized Lvl Not Msrd Ind
Yes
Scada In Place Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors
Operator Type
Operator Employee
Investigation Status
No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate)
Investigation Status Details
There were company personnel on site that were aware of what happened and the control room was not the cause or contributing factor.
Employee Drug Test Ind
Yes
Num Employees Tested
2
Num Employees Failed
0
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Incorrect Operation
Cause Details
Pipeline Or Equipment Overpressured
Operation Type
Pipeline Or Equipment Overpressured
Related Failure Follow Ind
Yes
Category Type
Routine Maintenance
Operator Qualification Ind
Yes
Qualified Individuals
Yes, They Were Qualified For The Task(S)
Preparer Name
J**** R A****
Preparer Title
Director Of Gas Compliance
Preparer Email
J*****@c*****.com
Preparer Telephone
8454163887
Local Contact Name
J**** R A****
Local Contact Email
J*****@c*****.com
Local Contact Telephone
8454163887
Authorizer Name
E*** K*******
Authorizer Title
Vice President Of Gas Engineering And Operations
Authorizer Telephone
845-486-5472
Authorizer Email
E********@c*****.com
Narrative
On tuesday september 3, 2024, two central hudson gas mechanics were performing a monthly regulator station inspection at the hopewell gas regulator station near 6 crest ct. Hopewell junction ny. The regulator station is constructed with two regulator runs in parallel with one relief valve serving as the overpressure protection device. The regulator station reduces pressure from the mp transmission pipeline (maop 750 psig) to 120 psig to serve the hh gas distribution system. The transmission pipeline was operating at approximately 425 psig and the distribution system at approximately 114 psig at the time of the incident. The regulator station is located in close proximity to overhead transmission electric lines. During the monthly inspection, a leak on a fitting at the vortex heater was discovered. The gas mechanic decided to isolate the vortex heater to make the necessary repairs. During the attempt to isolate the heater, the gas mechanic closed a series of valves on the pilot supply line of the regulator which caused the regulator to go wide open. As a result, the pressure downstream of the regulator increased and exceeded the set pressure of the relief valve. The relief valve operated and began to vent natural gas to atmosphere. Shortly after the gas started venting, the released gas from relief valve stack ignited. The intensity of the pressure and heat from the flame posed an immediate danger to both gas mechanics on site. The employees were able to safely exit the station and alert surrounding residences and emergency services, and evacuate people from their homes. One gas mechanic went to the hospital for evaluation as a precaution. The number of evacuations provided in this report is estimated and is based on the number of buildings on crest ct. Shortly after the natural gas ignition, the overhead electric burnt and fell to the ground adjacent to the regulator station. The electric department was contacted and responded to remediate the hazard. To extinguish the fire, the regulator station was isolated from all sources of gas by closing transmission line valves on the mp pipeline and closing a distribution line valve on the hh line. The fire extinguished itself once the gas supply ran out. Natural gas customers served from the hh pipeline were not interrupted as this pipeline is served by additional natural gas regulator stations. The 491 customers that were interrupted were fed from different regulator stations fed from the mp line within the isolation zone that was blown down. The majority were restored the next day.
| Report Received Date | 2024-10-03 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2024.0 |
| Report Number | 20240053.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 40064.0 |
| Report Type | Original |
| Operator Id | 2196 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp |
| Operator Street Address | 284 South Avenue |
| Operator City Name | Poughkeepsie |
| Operator State Abbreviation | NY |
| Operator Postal Code | 12601.0 |
| Time Zone | Eastern |
| Daylight Savings Ind | Yes |
| Location Street Address | 6 Crest Ct |
| Location City Name | Hopewell Junction |
| Location County Name | Dutchess County |
| Location State Abbreviation | NY |
| Location Postal Code | 12533.0 |
| Location Latitude | 41.572792 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -73.836161 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Flow Cont Key Crit Ind | Yes |
| Flow Cont Other Ind | Yes |
| Flow Cont Other Detail | Valves On Transmission Pipeline Inspected With Part 192.745 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1409823.0 NRC Report How to search |
| Additional Nrc Report Numbers | 1410110.0 |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 3078.0 |
| Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Ignite Ind | Yes |
| How Extinguished | Allowed To Burn Out |
| Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf | 3078 |
| Explode Ind | Yes |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 14.0 |
| Communication State Fed Ind | Yes |
| Party Initiated Communication | Local/state/federal Emergency Responder |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Utility Right-Of-Way / Easement |
| Incident Area Type | Aboveground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Typical Aboveground Facility Piping Or Appurtenance (E.g. Value Or Regulator Station, Outdoor Meter Set) |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Investor Owned |
| System Part Involved | District Regulator/metering Station |
| Installation Year | 2002.0 |
| Manufactured Year | 2002.0 |
| Material Involved | Steel |
| Steel Seam Type | Longitudinal Erw - High Frequency |
| Wt Steel | 0.28 |
| Release Type | Other |
| Release Type Details | Relief Valve At Regulator Station Operated. |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 10680.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 752810.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 549013.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Gas Cost In Mcf | 3.7693 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 11602.0 |
| Est Cost Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Prpty | 1324105.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 37.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 454.0 |
| Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght | 1.0 |
| Num Injured Treated By Emt | 0.0 |
| Num Resident Building Affctd | 37.0 |
| Num Business Building Affctd | 454.0 |
| Accident Psig | 122.67 |
| Normal Psig | 114.0 |
| Mop Psig | 120.0 |
| Mop Cfr Section | 192.619(A)(2) View CFR 49 §192 |
| Maop Established Date | 2002-09-25 00:00:00 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Exceeded Maop, But Did Not Exceed The Applicable Allowance In 192.201 |
| Gas Odorized System Type | Injection Pump |
| Gas Odorized Lvl Not Msrd Ind | Yes |
| Scada In Place Ind | No |
| Accident Identifier | Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors |
| Operator Type | Operator Employee |
| Investigation Status | No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate) |
| Investigation Status Details | There were company personnel on site that were aware of what happened and the control room was not the cause or contributing factor. |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | Yes |
| Num Employees Tested | 2 |
| Num Employees Failed | 0 |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Incorrect Operation |
| Cause Details | Pipeline Or Equipment Overpressured |
| Operation Type | Pipeline Or Equipment Overpressured |
| Related Failure Follow Ind | Yes |
| Category Type | Routine Maintenance |
| Operator Qualification Ind | Yes |
| Qualified Individuals | Yes, They Were Qualified For The Task(S) |
| Preparer Name | J**** R A**** |
| Preparer Title | Director Of Gas Compliance |
| Preparer Email | J*****@c*****.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 8454163887 |
| Local Contact Name | J**** R A**** |
| Local Contact Email | J*****@c*****.com |
| Local Contact Telephone | 8454163887 |
| Authorizer Name | E*** K******* |
| Authorizer Title | Vice President Of Gas Engineering And Operations |
| Authorizer Telephone | 845-486-5472 |
| Authorizer Email | E********@c*****.com |
| Narrative | On tuesday september 3, 2024, two central hudson gas mechanics were performing a monthly regulator station inspection at the hopewell gas regulator station near 6 crest ct. Hopewell junction ny. The regulator station is constructed with two regulator runs in parallel with one relief valve serving as the overpressure protection device. The regulator station reduces pressure from the mp transmission pipeline (maop 750 psig) to 120 psig to serve the hh gas distribution system. The transmission pipeline was operating at approximately 425 psig and the distribution system at approximately 114 psig at the time of the incident. The regulator station is located in close proximity to overhead transmission electric lines. During the monthly inspection, a leak on a fitting at the vortex heater was discovered. The gas mechanic decided to isolate the vortex heater to make the necessary repairs. During the attempt to isolate the heater, the gas mechanic closed a series of valves on the pilot supply line of the regulator which caused the regulator to go wide open. As a result, the pressure downstream of the regulator increased and exceeded the set pressure of the relief valve. The relief valve operated and began to vent natural gas to atmosphere. Shortly after the gas started venting, the released gas from relief valve stack ignited. The intensity of the pressure and heat from the flame posed an immediate danger to both gas mechanics on site. The employees were able to safely exit the station and alert surrounding residences and emergency services, and evacuate people from their homes. One gas mechanic went to the hospital for evaluation as a precaution. The number of evacuations provided in this report is estimated and is based on the number of buildings on crest ct. Shortly after the natural gas ignition, the overhead electric burnt and fell to the ground adjacent to the regulator station. The electric department was contacted and responded to remediate the hazard. To extinguish the fire, the regulator station was isolated from all sources of gas by closing transmission line valves on the mp pipeline and closing a distribution line valve on the hh line. The fire extinguished itself once the gas supply ran out. Natural gas customers served from the hh pipeline were not interrupted as this pipeline is served by additional natural gas regulator stations. The 491 customers that were interrupted were fed from different regulator stations fed from the mp line within the isolation zone that was blown down. The majority were restored the next day. |
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