In the near future, I will reintroduce legislation that will require gas detectors to be installed in any commercial businesses and residential properties where a propane, natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas fueled appliance is located. This bill, modeled after a Maine law that became effective in 2022, would require the placement of a gas detector within any room where a gas appliance is located.

This bill was introduced last session as Senate Bill 1115 and was referred to the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and was never brought up for a vote.

This bill was originally drafted in response to the tragic house explosion in Plum Borough in August 2023 that claimed the lives of six Pennsylvanians, destroyed three homes, and damaged several others. While inspectors continue to search for the cause of the explosion, they did find traces of combustible gas in the Rustic Ridge area and those stray vapors could have played a role in the explosion. We believe that by requiring gas detectors in homes and businesses, Pennsylvanians can detect a gas leak before another disaster happens. 

Under this legislation, any building owner shall install, in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements, at least one approved fuel gas detector in every room containing an appliance fueled by propane, natural gas or any liquified petroleum gas. Required detectors may be battery operated, plugged into an electrical outlet, or hardwired. The legislation would be similar to smoke and carbon monoxide detector requirements that have existed in most jurisdictions for decades.  The bill would also require at least one gas detector per commercial or residential building that does not have any gas appliances but is located within one mile of any gathering, distribution, transmission line or any other pipeline that is carrying oil and gas products.

Please join us in protecting Pennsylvania families by cosponsoring this important public safety legislation.