The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has approved a settlement with Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania that requires the company to pay a $50,000 civil penalty, correct operating procedures and enhance training for employees and contractors. The commission ruled that the fine may not be recovered from ratepayers. The PUC’s independentBureau of Investigation and Enforcement determined that the company’s failure to take adequate safety precautions at sites in western Pennsylvania caused injuries to two contractors. Columbia Gas, a subsidiary of NiSource Inc., serves 426,000 customers in the state and operates 7,350 miles of distribution lines.