KeySpan Corp. has agreed to pay $125,000 for safety violations at a liquefied natural gas storage plant in Lynn where two people cut through security fences and climbed atop a storage tank last summer.
State regulators initially imposed a $250,000 fine, which KeySpan appealed. The fine was reduced after KeySpan showed that it had tightened security, according to the state's Department of Public Utilities.
"We've made significant upgrades to monitoring and other procedures and are in regular contact with public safety officials," company spokeswoman Carmen Fields said.
KeySpan is barred from passing on the cost of the fine to the utility's gas and electric ratepayers. :woohoo:
A state investigation found the security lapses allowed the break-in to go undetected for five days after it occurred. Investigators believe the breach occurred Aug. 16. Two intruders were seen on surveillance tape cutting the fences and climbing to the top of the 290,000-gallon tank.
Authorities determined it was not terrorist-related.
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http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/05/11/keyspan_to_pay_125000_over_security_breach_at_lynn_lng_plant/