Charges sought after Avista pipeline rupture

PULLMAN - The Washington Utilities and Transportation commission received a report from a Washington State Agency during its Thursday, Dec. 21, open meeting that wants to charge local farmer, Brad Meyer, for a misdemeanor for the ruptured pipeline that occurred Nov. 8, near Pullman causing a natural gas outage.

According to reports, the agency was investigating Meyers who allegedly was digging a four-inch drain line with a tractor and implement when he hit and ruptured the pipeline.

According to reports, investigators say Meyer allegedly broke state law when he failed to notify a call center before digging and did not have an excavation confirmation code, which is required when working within 35 feet of a pipeline.

The investigators are reported asking the commission to request that the Whitman County Prosecutor's Office charge Meyer with a misdemeanor for violating the law regarding the confirmation code.

According to reports, the commissioners unanimously approved the request to send the case to the prosecutor's office for review.

According to reports, the state agency will not release their final report to the public until after the prosecutor's office completes a review of the case.

District Court Legal Secretary Megan Zumbul reported that the referral had not come into the Whitman County Prosecutor's office at time of press on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.

On Wednesday, Nov. 8, the natural gas pipeline ruptured, causing a gas leak that closed US 195 between the intersection of US 195 and Albion Road to Pullman. It was repaired by Williams Pipeline, Thursday, Nov. 9.

Reports say the rupture caused about 37,000 Avista Utilities customers on the Palouse and Lewiston-Clarkston Valley to lose natural gas for approximately a week, while re-lights took place.