Reported by The Star Staff
To prevent tragic incidents like the explosion at a home in Trujillo Alto, Rep. Estrella Martínez Soto urged legislative action to regulate the installation of liquefied gas cylinders in residences.
On Monday, a house in Trujillo Alto was annihilated, leading to one fatality due to a gas explosion.
In 2022, Martínez Soto proposed House Bill (HB) 1114, aimed at instituting the “Law for the Inspection and Certification of Liquefied Gas Installations in Residences and Businesses in Puerto Rico.” Despite legislative approval in the House of Representatives, the bill has stagnated in the Senate Rules and Calendar Committee. Consequently, this measure will be prioritized in the forthcoming legislative session, commencing in January 2025.
The rising reliance on liquefied gas as an energy source in Puerto Rico, driven by soaring demand and electricity costs, underscores the necessity for enhanced regulatory measures. Hence, the lawmaker from District 27, which encompasses Santa Isabel, Coamo, Aibonito, Salinas, and Juana Díaz, emphasized the vital need for regulations to ensure the safety of fuel users.
HB 1114 aims to empower the Bureau of Transportation and Other Public Services with the authority to regulate and monitor the installation, upkeep, and utilization of liquefied gas in residential and commercial properties in Puerto Rico, striving to avert future tragedies stemming from explosions.
“Regrettably, today a person lost their life due to an explosion in Trujillo Alto,” Martínez Soto remarked. “This incident brings House Bill 1114 back to public attention. I hope it can be enacted in the next legislative session to provide our citizens with an extra safeguard.”
The proposed legislation stipulates that all residences and businesses utilizing liquefied gas must undergo inspections of their gas containers and lines to ensure family safety and readiness for service.
Moreover, the bill introduces a framework to bolster the safety protocols surrounding liquefied gas cylinder usage in homes. It aims to foster collaboration with organizations such as the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Firefighters Bureau, and gas companies to create educational initiatives conducted by firefighters and gas firms for the public.
