Louisville Gas and Electric is asking the case against the company for its role in a residential gas explosion in December be dismissed. In documents filed with the Kentucky Public Service Commission yesterday, the company disagrees with many of the state's conclusionsas to the cause of the explosion.In the very early morning of December 6, LG&E responded to reports of a strong gas odor in a neighborhood near Preston Highway. The house exploded shortly after 7:00 that morning. The family was able to get outside before the explosion, but a dog was killed.In an investigation made public last month,the PSC alleges LG&E committed several violations that contributed to the explosion, including allowing a plastic gas pipeline to exceed its maximum allowable operating pressure, and not taking the necessary steps to avoid an explosion.LG&E disagrees with those conclusions, and is asking the PSC to delay the hearing scheduled for November 27. If the company and the state come to an agreement on a settlement, a hearing could be avoided. But if there's no settlement, the Public Service Commissioners could decide to proceed with a formal hearing.LG&E faces fines of up to $25,000 a day for each violation.
