PG&E Publicizes Plan To Renovate Pipeline System
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In response to criticism over its safety measures, PG&E announced a new program Tuesday that it says will improve its response to gas leaks and hopefully prevent explosions like what happened in San Bruno last month.
In a press release, PG&E announced its adoption of "Pipeline 2020," a five-point program that the company said would "strengthen the utility's natural gas transmission system" beyond what is required by government regulators.
"PG&E will collaborate with state and federal regulators, industry and scientific experts, and local agencies to enhance our ongoing efforts to adopt industry best practices, invest in system upgrades and, where possible, advance the state of the art of gas pipeline inspection procedures and technology," said PG&E president Chris Johns.
According to the release, PG&E's Pipeline 2020 program consists of:
• Modernizing Critical Pipeline Infrastructure – "PG&E will consult with regulators and engage industry experts on a multi-year modernization initiative to upgrade key gas transmission pipeline segments located in heavily populated and other critical areas."
• Expanding the Use of Automatic or Remotely Operated Shut-Off Valves – "The valves will give PG&E operators the capability to shut off gas flows without having to dispatch crews."
• Spur Development of Next-Generation Inspection Technologies – "PG&E will establish an independent, nonprofit entity dedicated to researching and developing next-generation pipeline inspection and diagnostic tools. At no cost to customers, PG&E will provide $10 million to launch this organization."
• Develop Industry-Leading Best Practices – "PG&E will closely review its practices related to pipeline integrity, safety and training – as well as practices used elsewhere in the industry – in order to develop industry-leading standards of excellence in this area."
• Enhance Public Safety Partnerships – PG&E will work with local communities, public officials and first responders to forge model partnerships in support of pipeline safety. The company will provide detailed, customized information on pipeline locations and emergency response plans, as well as enhanced annual emergency response training.
The Pipeline 2020 plan comes more than a month after a leak from a PG&E gas pipe caught fire and exploded in San Bruno, killing 8 people and destroying 37 homes.
In the weeks following the explosion, reports surfaced of federal safety regulators finding over 400 safety violations in PG&E's pipeline system in the past 4 years.
The plan's inclusion of expanding the use of automated valves could be a direct response to the explosion -- the pipeline burned for more than an hour and a half because the gas had to be turned off manually.
In a symbolic move, San Bruno city leaders scooped up the last charred debris in the heart of the Crestmoor Canyon neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, marking an end to the major cleanup phase.
"The county declared this a public health emergency when this happened-- that is being lifted today because the debris is gone--we don't have to worry about air blowing, water flowing off," said Dean Peterson, director of the San Mateo County department of environmental health.
More than 7,000 tons of charred debris was removed from the explosion area.
"I don't think they intended this to happen, but it happened," said fire victim Bob Pellegrini. "The line still runs here; will it happen again? Nothing comes with guarantees."
The San Bruno City Council voted Tuesday night to fast track the permit process for fire victims to rebuild. That means construction on new homes in the fire zone could be underway within a couple of months.
Normally it would take as long as six months and up to $14,000 to complete the permit process to build a new home in San Bruno. The city council also voted to waive the permit fees for fire victims, a move that could cost San Bruno half a million dollars in revenue.
"This whole ticket is on San Bruno," said the city's mayor Jim Ruane. "But we're hoping that through FEMA and the governor's proclamation we'll get funding that will help the residents and the city."
To see PG&E's full announcement of Pipeline 2020, go to
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Víctor Lei
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