Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has initiated legal proceedings against Liberty Utilities (Midstates Natural Gas) Corp. following a fatal explosion in Lexington, Missouri. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Missouri Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act, claiming that the utility company's failure to accurately mark a gas line led to the incident.
Attorney General Bailey emphasized the preventability of the tragedy, stating, “These companies must take their responsibilities seriously. The law is clear, the process is simple, and the consequences of failure are catastrophic. We’re holding Liberty Utilities accountable to ensure that every utility in Missouri does its due diligence to prevent future disasters.”
Filed in Lafayette County, the suit accuses Liberty Utilities of falsely assuring an excavator that all gas pipelines at a Lexington job site were properly marked. This misinformation allegedly resulted in a contractor striking an unmarked gas main during excavation work. The ensuing natural gas leak lasted for hours before igniting, destroying a home and injuring a family, with one minor losing their life.
The Missouri Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act mandates utility companies to respond to "locate" requests and mark underground facilities within two working days. According to the lawsuit, Liberty Utilities failed to comply with these requirements and misrepresented the status of site markings.
Bailey's action is brought under Section 319.045 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, which empowers him to seek injunctive relief and civil penalties for violations of this nature. His office is tasked with enforcing public safety statutes and taking legal action against entities whose negligence or misconduct endangers residents.
“Tragedies like this are exactly why this law exists,” Bailey noted. “It’s imperative that companies follow the law—not just to avoid penalties but to protect lives. When they fail to do so, my office will hold them accountable.”
The petition seeks maximum penalties as permitted by law, mandatory safety training for Liberty Utilities personnel, appointment of a compliance monitor, and a permanent injunction against further violations.
The case has been filed in the Circuit Court of Lafayette County.
The full lawsuit can be accessed here.