State considers fining Google Fiber over gas line breaks

ATLANTA — The State of Georgia is working to prevent water and gas line breaks caused by private contractors. Over the past few months Channel 2 Action News reported on several breaks caused by Google Fiber workers.

An Atlanta Fire spokesperson says the breaks take away from the department's resources, because they have to rush out to treat gas line breaks.

According to the Atlanta Fire Department, Google Fiber contractors cause at least one line break a day.

The most recent gas line break happened yesterday on April Cardwell's street in southwest Atlanta.

"We were worried about explosions and all of that," Cardwell said.

Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) has taken notice of the damage caused by Google Fiber contractors.

"They're digging quick. They're digging fast and there's a lot of questions surrounding whether they're hurting property infrastructure," Georgia Public Service Commissioner Stan Wise said.

The PSC is already investigating contractor, S&N Communications. They're installing Google Fiber in metro Atlanta.

Commissioner Stan Wise says excavators could be fined $10,000 each time a utility line is damaged under the Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act.

"There's no disrespect to Google. It's the nature of the beast. They're doing a remarkable job of deploying fiber in state, AT&T doing it as well," Wise said.

The PSC says there's a price to pay, because these incidents cost Georgia taxpayers.

Wise questions if locations are able to keep up with the contractors, and provide information they need to prevent more scenes like this.

"They do come out and they mark, but if you're not marking the correct areas, it's kind of irrelevant," Cardwell said.

The PSC will bring up the issue in a meeting Sept. 1. They're asking companies to come forward and answers for these breaks.

Cox Media Group