HARRISBURG – The PA House passed a bill addressing safety concerns in workplaces that use natural gas, in response to the R.M. Palmer factory explosion that occurred in West Reading in March 2023. House Bill 1522 would require installation of natural gas alarms in businesses, residences, and other buildings that use natural gas. It follows findings that a natural gas leak was a root cause of the explosion at the factory which claimed seven lives and injured 10 others. The bill is the third piece of a legislative package introduced in response to the tragedy. The other two bills, House Bill 1525 would require owners and operators of pipelines transporting steam in public rights-of-way to register the lines with the PA One Call System. House Bill 1526 would require the PA Public Utility Commission to work with natural gas pipeline operators to develop guidance and management programs to address potential threats to degrading plastic pipelines. All three bills have been sent to the PA Senate.
