Since 2003, California-based energy company Pacific Gas & Electric has spiked pressure on gas pipelines nearly a dozen times, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. PG&E claims the practice is for testing purposes only, but safety experts worry that in the case of September’s San Bruno pipeline explosion, the scheduled spikes may have weakened the transmission lines, making such an accident more likely. If this is the case, they say, the other 10 pipelines that experienced surges in the past 8 years could be vulnerable to similar pipeline explosions.
The San Bruno pipeline that exploded back in September, causing eight deaths and 50 injuries, regularly operated at a pressure of 375 pounds per square inch, but PG&E increased that pressure to 400 pounds — the federal limit — during testing periods in December 2003 and again in 2008. “It’s a gross irresponsibility to place ratepayers at that kind of risk,” said Jackie Speier, the representative for the San Bruno neighborhood that suffered the blast. “This is all being taken very seriously.”
“It’s so backward in its thinking – you wouldn’t think anybody would be that reckless,” said Washington-based pipeline safety expert Richard Kuprewicz. “The overall intent of the (federal inspection) program was, you are not supposed to look for loopholes.” In the months since the explosion, PG&E has also been accused of ignoring safety standards, faulty record keeping, and concealing relevant information.
Most recently, state and federal regulators have increased their scrutiny of PG&E. Last week, for example, the National Transportation Safety Board gave the agency seven important suggestions to improve pipeline safety, including eliminating PG&E’s “record-keeping problems” that have led to “potentially unsafe” pressure settings. And in the coming weeks, the California Public Utilities Commission is expected to demand more evidence on pipeline safety from PG&E, a move that could impact energy supply and cost the agency millions.
Photo credit: Rennett Stowe
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Andy is a highly recognized wrongful death lawyer in California.