HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission this week approved a settlement with Metropolitan Edison Company (Met-Ed) stemming from a July 26, 2016, incident that claimed the life of Thomas Poynton of Northampton County.

The commission voted 4-0 to adopt an initial decision by Administrative Law Judge Mary D. Long, which accepts a joint petition for approval of settlement between Met-Ed and the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement and requires the following:

• Over $16 million in Met-Ed remediation measures – Implementation includes a new company program for the inspection and replacement of hotline clamps across its entire primary system, as well as enhancements to Met-Ed’s construction standards, inspection processes and safety standards; additional training for Met-Ed employees and company contractors; and a thorough review of the company’s emergency response preparedness.

• A $150,000 contribution to the company’s hardship fund which disperse grants on behalf of qualifying customers.

• Payment of a $1 million civil penalty – Civil penalty is not tax deductible and may not be passed through to Met-Ed’s Pennsylvania customers.

On July 22, 2019, I&E filed a formal complaint alleging that on July 26, 2016, a high-voltage conductor owned and operated by Met-Ed fell into the backyard of a residence along Royal Manor Road in Easton. Poynton, a resident of the home, stepped outside after hearing a loud explosion and was electrocuted when he encountered energized ground outside his home. The Poynton home was also damaged by a resulting fire.

Based on the investigation by I&E’s electric safety engineers, the complaint alleged that Met-Ed and its contractors used a series of “bronze hotline clamps” attached to the 34,500 volt transmission lines near the incident site – including the conductor that fell to the ground – which were intended for copper conductors, rather than the aluminum lines they were attached to. This was contrary to the manufacturer’s recommendations and FirstEnergy’s (Met-Ed’s parent company) material specifications. Also, the company allegedly did not have procedures for the installation of the bronze hotline clamps.

The complaint also alleged that on the day of the incident, Met-Ed’s ground fault protection system ultimately failed, allowing the continued flow of electricity to the conductor after it fell to the ground.