PSC speaks on Warner Robins gas problem

On Friday, March 19, Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms recorded a video that was sent to The Journal and was published on the City of Warner Robins’ Facebook page. The video was made in response to a mass text that was sent to many citizens of Warner Robins.

The text message read, “On today’s date in 1937, the worst school accident in American history occurred when 295 children & teachers died in a natural gas explosion at an elementary school. The city of Warner Robins has covered up multiple gas line leaks- including a ‘Level 1 – Imminent Danger’ leak within two blocks of Lindsey Elementary. Today, call Mayor Randy Toms and your Councilperson and let them know – Endangering our children & families is unacceptable!”

In his statement, the mayor made several claims regarding the gas department.

Toms began his statement by detailing how he and the gas department, in conjunction with ESG, responded to the mass message. According to Toms, the Utility Department Director Montie Walters, ESG, and the mayor all “responded immediately.” ESG inspected Lindsey Elementary and the surrounding area for any potential gas leaks. After finding none with the Rover Gas Detection System, ESG performed a soap test, and found a leak. According to Toms, this “minute” leak would normally be allowed to go 15 months without repair, following to Federal Minimum Safety Standards. Toms stated that the pipe was repaired immediately on site. Toms also claimed that all schools on the Warner Robins gas system were being checked for leaks that day. As of this articles printing, the validity of these claims is still being investigated.

Toms made mention of a gas leak at 705 North Davis Drive, two blocks away. He stated “the investigation of that address revealed that the gas to that location has been turned off and locked since 2013 due to unrepaired leak on the customer’s side of the meter.” According to Michelle Thebert, Director of Pipeline Safety and Damage Prevention, this confusion is due to a typographical error on the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) part.

Inspection report KR20-044 from October of 2020 states, “during field review for atmospheric corrosion in the downtown business district at 705 North Davis Drive, staff found an inserted service that was blowing where the rusted riser pierced the plastic inserted service causing a grade one leak at the building wall. Staff called 911 and waited for the fire department and gas department to arrive and make safe. [The Warner Robins Gas Department] could not provide evidence where it had been leak surveyed since 2017.” The inspection report contained a typographical error. The address for this leak should be 105 North Davis Drive, rather than 705 North Davis Drive.

While the typographical error changes the location of this leak to a different address, this information does not alter the leak itself. Grade one leaks are hazardous and have the potential to explode. The PSC found a leak of this magnitude at this location in 2020 and was forced to call the Warner Robins Fire Department and the gas department to “make safe.”

Toms also claimed that at no point did the City of Warner Robins knowingly put anyone’s family, home, or business in harm’s way. However, while under the watchful eye of Toms, the Warner Robins Gas System has accumulated over $292,000 in fines, multiple of which were for untrained staff and potentially dangerous situations.

In an effort to collect more information, The Journal reached out to PSC Director Michelle Thebert. According to Thebert, The Warner Robins Gas System is still working to rectify many of the problems discovered by the October report that caused the gas department to receive their Hazardous Facility Order. While all of the discovered Grade One leaks have been repaired, Grade Two and Three are still in line to be repaired, and the city is still working to complete a full system leak survey, as well as a full corrosion survey. The issues detailed in the Hazardous Facility Order was originally set to be rectified by March 31, but has since been extended to May 15 after a request by City of Warner Robins.

Additionally, Thebert also noted a meeting on December 15 of last year. An informal conference call took place between the Mayor, the gas department, and the PSC where they discussed the issues listed in the October report. They discussed the numerous gas leaks, the atmospheric corrosion, and the lack of trained staff. The mayor, while aware of these issues, did not make the public aware of these problems, and many council members claim they were not made fully aware either.

A full comprehensive inspection report should be completed and published by the PSC within the next month.

As part of the October report, the City of Warner Robins received a recommended $22,500 in fines. Thebert explained that before fines are finalized and a consent agreement is written, the PSC will allow the gas operator to complete most of their repairs and solve most problems, and then bring the agreement to the commission. Typically, the commission will have the operator mitigate the fined issues and avoid any fines, however according to Thebert “something this serious, I don’t think it’s going to be a $0 penalty. I think there will be some payment, but I’m not sure what it will be right now.”

Thebert also urges citizens to call if they smell gas. “If you smell something that smells like a rotten egg, you need to call.” The smell of rotten eggs is a signal that there is a gas leak somewhere nearby. If that scent arises, call 911 immediately and report a potential gas leak.

For more thorough information go to https://hhjonline.com/imminent-hazard-to-life-or-property-gross-negligence-by-the-city-of-warner-p15299-95.htm and to find the original documents go to www.psc.ga.gov, type Warner Robins in the search bar, and follow Docket #37098. The Houston Home Journal will continue to bring forth updates as more information arises.

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