Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility House passes natural gas safety recommendations after R.M. Palmer chocolate factory explosion

House passes natural gas safety recommendations after R.M. Palmer chocolate factory explosion

Includes two bills introduced by Rep. Cepeda-Freytiz

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    January 28, 2026 | 2:46 PM

HARRISBURG, Jan. 28 – The Pennsylvania House has passed two bipartisan bills introduced by state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, aimed at addressing natural gas safety concerns in the wake of the 2023 R.M. Palmer chocolate factory explosion.

The bills were introduced after a March 2025 investigation found the explosion, which killed seven people and injured 10 others at the West Reading factory, located in Cepeda-Freytiz’s legislative district, was likely caused by a degraded natural gas connection.

“As we approach the three-year anniversary of the devastating R.M. Palmer factory explosion, we continue to feel the impact it had on our community, including the loss of seven of our neighbors,” said Cepeda-Freytiz. “The measures outlined in these bills will save lives and ensure that we learn from this tragedy, so no one else has to suffer as our community has.”

The bills passed by the House include:

  • House Bill 1525: Would require all owners and operators of pipelines transporting steam located in public rights-of-way to register with the Pennsylvania One Call System so that property owners and construction workers know where steam lines are located. (183-16)
  • House Bill 1526: Would require the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission to work with natural gas pipeline operators to develop guidance and management programs to address threats to degrading plastic pipelines. (110-89)

A third bill in this legislative package, H.B. 1522, which would require buildings that use natural gas to install alarms to detect leaks, advanced out of the House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee in December and is expected to be brought to the House floor for consideration.

House Bills 1525 and 1526 will now move to the state Senate for consideration.