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IV
116TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. RES. 838
Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Kleen Energy Systems natural
gas explosion.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 7, 2020
Mr. COURTNEY (for himself, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Mr.
HIMES, and Mrs. HAYES) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
RESOLUTION
Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Kleen Energy
Systems natural gas explosion.
Whereas, on February 7, 2010, six workers died and dozens
were injured in an explosion at the Kleen Energy Sys-
tems power station construction site in Middletown, Con-
necticut, when natural gas that had pooled on the ground
caught fire;
Whereas Peter C. Chepulis, Ronald J. Crabb, Raymond E.
Dobratz, Kenneth W. Haskell, Jr., Roy D. Rushton, and
Vance C. Walters tragically lost their lives as a result of
this preventable catastrophe;
Whereas the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
found ‘‘willful’’ violations of safety protocol that led to
the explosion;
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•HRES 838 IH
Whereas fines assessed as a result of these violations were
miniscule compared to the lives lost and the public re-
sources required to rescue the injured, investigate the
causes, and clean up the damage;
Whereas the statutory fines under the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970 are woefully out of date due to
Congress’ failure to modernize the law since its passage;
Whereas each day an average of 14 workers are killed due
to workplace injuries in the United States; and
Whereas tens of thousands of Americans with workplace inju-
ries and illness have become permanently disabled: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
1
(1) honors the memories of the workers killed
2
in the Kleen Energy Systems natural gas explosion
3
on February 7, 2010;
4
(2) expresses its deepest sympathy to the fami-
5
lies of the victims and those whose lives have been
6
irreparably changed as a result of this disaster; and
7
(3) recognizes—
8
(A) the risks that workers face on the job;
9
and
10
(B) the need to strengthen and modernize
11
the Occupational Safety and Health Act of
12
1970 to better—
13
(i) prevent deadly disasters;
14
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(ii) protect workers from occupational
1
injury, illness, and retaliation; and
2
(iii) hold employers accountable for
3
violations of safety laws.
4
Æ
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