Photo: Following the release last week of a preliminary report by federal regulators into the 2014 gas explosion in Harlem that killed 8 people and injured 48, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder called on National Grid to review its gas infrastructure in southern Queens and Rockaway. Photo Courtesy of Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder’s Office.
Following the release last week of a preliminary report by federal regulators into a 2014 gas explosion in Harlem, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D – Howard Beach) called on National Grid to review its gas infrastructure in southern Queens and Rockaway to pinpoint any possible installation of a model of plastic gas pipes suspected of causing the deadly accident.
On March 12, 2014, a gas explosion at a five-story residential building in Harlem left 8 people dead and more than 48 injured. Initial reports on the blast centered on the century-old cast iron main as the likely cause. However, a preliminary report released last week by the National Transportation Safety Board focused on a 69-foot section of 8″ plastic pipe installed in 2011 by utility company Con Edison as a suspected cause of the blast. A final report is expected to be released in the coming months.
“We must take every precaution to prevent this horrible accident from happening again,” said Goldfeder.
In a letter to National Grid U.S. President-elect Dean Seavers, Goldfeder requested that the natural gas provider conduct an audit of its infrastructure to determine if that same plastic piping has been utilized in buildings in southern Queens. Goldfeder wrote that many neighborhoods in the community have seen considerable work in the last few years to repair damages and upgrade infrastructure following Sandy.
“Our natural gas providers are public utilities and have a responsibility to families to ensure safe, affordable service,” said Goldfeder. “When it comes to highly-combustible natural gas, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
By Forum Staff
