Lawmaker calls for regulation of LG tanks following explosion at Trujillo Alto home

On Monday, a liquefied gas explosion destroyed a house in the Pacifica neighborhood of Trujillo Alto, killing a woman and seriously injuring a man. (Facebook via Puerto Rico Firefighters Bureau)

By The Star Staff

In an effort to avoid unfortunate situations such as the explosion that occurred in a residence in Trujillo Alto, Rep. Estrella Martínez Soto called for the passage of legislation to regulate the installation of liquefied gas tanks at residences.

On Monday, a house in Trujillo Alto was destroyed and one person was killed as the result of a gas explosion.

In 2022, Martínez Soto introduced House Bill (HB) 1114, which sought to establish the “Law for the Inspection and Certification of Liquefied Gas Installations in Residences and Businesses in Puerto Rico.” Although the House of Representatives passed the bill, it remained in limbo in the Senate Rules and Calendar Committee. Therefore, the measure will be a priority in the next legislative session, which begins in January 2025.

The increasing use of liquefied gas as an energy source in Puerto Rico in response to high demand and high prices for electricity has highlighted the need for stricter regulation. Therefore, the lawmaker representing District 27, which includes Santa Isabel, Coamo, Aibonito, Salinas and Juana Díaz, stressed the importance of establishing regulations to guarantee the safety of those who use the fuel.

HB 1114 seeks to grant the Bureau of Transportation and Other Public Services the authority to regulate and oversee the installation, maintenance, and use of liquefied gas in Puerto Rico’s residences and businesses to prevent further loss of lives after explosions.

“Unfortunately, today a person died after an explosion in Trujillo Alto,” Martínez Soto said. “This brings House Bill 1114 back to public discussion. I hope it can be passed during the next legislative session to give our people an additional tool.”

The measure establishes that all homes and businesses with liquefied gas service must have their liquefied gas containers and lines inspected for the safety of families and to ensure they are ready to be delivered.

In addition, the bill creates a structure to reinforce the safety of the use of liquefied gas tanks in homes. It would establish collaboration with entities such as the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Firefighters Bureau and liquefied gas companies to establish educational campaigns that firefighters and liquefied gas companies would conduct for citizens.