PGE Makes Statement about Gas Rupture

Oct 4 2010, CALIFORNIA—In response to renewed calls for closer analysis, Federal officials will be scrutinizing the infamous pipeline this week. There is in place a rigorous regime of inspections required by the federal government, enforced by the state government, which require that internal corrosion, external corrosion be assessed, that any sort of defects or problem with the pipeline be detected, according to Richard Clark, Director of Consumer Protection and Safety, California Public Utility Commission. However, if this regime is that effective, why didn't the inspections turn up the problem; and why does Clark still say it is a"huge mystery as to how it happened"?

Painting a picture of the horror of the tragedy and what PG&E has done since to try to help its victims, in a Sep 28, 2010 legislative hearing on pipeline safety assessing the San Bruno, California explosion, Chris Johns, President of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, testified before the Senate Commerce Committee on September 28, 2010. (His testimony is available in a PDF here.

James Emil Franco was the eighth victim to die as a result of the natural gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno. The fire following the explosion burned for hours, destroyed 37 homes and left 18 others uninhabitable. The San Jose Mercury News requested experts to analyze NTSB photos of the pipeline; and the assessment is that a "weld or weak section may have caused catastrophic failure of the 54-year-old natural gas pipeline."

Chairman of Stanford's Thermosciences Group, Tom Bowman is an expert in explosions, and he attributes the rupture to possibly brittle pipes, old welds, corrosion or widening cracks. He recommends more supervision of PG & E to make sure there are no corners cut, and that anyone who smells gas call 911 in addition to PG & E.

PG&E has 1,020 miles of gas transmission lines in the area.

PGE Gas Rupture

September 9, 2010 PG&E Gas-line blasts San Bruno neighborhood 6 p.m. Thursday. The ruptured line sent up a geyser of fire, igniting the neighborhood, consuming 173 homes around Skyline Boulevard and Sneath Lane, west of Interstate 280. There are four known fatalities, fifty-two wounded, and the numbers may rise. Residents thought the explosion was a falling plane, an earthquake, even the coming of Armegeddon to the canyon in San Bruno.

Masry and Vititoe has a long history fighting against PG &E in court. In case anyone has forgotten the fight memorialized in the movie Erin Brockovich, it was PG &E who was sitting across the table from Masry & Vititoe. It looks as if once again, P &G has come to the forefront of the news in a situation that has harmed scores of citizens who put their trust in the giant utility. PG&E must prove that it was not responsible for the explosion because it is in the business of handling natural gas; and it engages in supplying natural gas to the public. Legally, PG&E must maintain its pipelines. It is their responsibility to see that explosions never happen.

San Bruno fire - residents tell what it was like to be there

Neighbors talk about how the earth shook, landscape disappeared, describe a fireball that swallowed eight homes in an instant. Residents fled through a wall of heat that melted doors. The inferno sent people running for their lives, even as the their skin blistered. The survivors talk of tearful reunions with family members, husbands, wives, children terrified and now homeless--but at least, together.

15 acres have burned. There's a crater in the canyon. The blast blew out water pipelines, rendering fire hydrants useless. All is dusted in ash like a moonscape, or a war zone.

About those Homeless and Injured in the San Bruno Gas Explosion

Some critically injured have been taken to California Pacific Medical Center's St. Luke's campus in San Francisco, San Francisco General Hospital, and St. Francis Memorial Hospital. Injuries range from smoke inhalation to serious burn injuries. The uninjured have relocated to a temporary shelter at San Bruno Parks and Recreation Department center.

PG&E says

Friday Sept 10, 2010, Pacific Gas and Electric Co announced that a steel gas pipe ruptured about three feet underground just before 6:30 p.m Thursday. That steel pipe is a 30-inch (76-centimeter) gas transmission pipeline that was built in 1956, according to Ted Lopatkiewicz of the NTSB. The California Public Utilities Commission which regulates PG&E is investigating.

At the time of this writing it is Friday afternoon. Much of the area is still too hot to investigate. However, the ruptured gas line has been isolated, and is covered with water. Photos taken from the air reveal what looks like a firebombing. The flow of gas to the pipe has been stopped. Neighbors say they had reported a gas leak to PG&E. Neighbors may not have to prove that PG&E did not respond in a timely fashion. PG&E has responsibility to maintain the lines. PG&E is not publicly claiming responsibility for the gas leak but their public statement is below:

PG&E Continues Response Efforts at Scene of San Bruno Fire

Release Date: September 10, 2010
Contact: PG&E External Communications (415) 973-5930

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) crews worked through the night and continue to work this morning with emergency officials at the scene of yesterday's explosion and fire in San Bruno.

"On behalf of our 20,000 men and women, our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by yesterday's terrible tragedy," said PG&E President Chris Johns. "I also want to express our appreciation to the hundreds of first responders and emergency services personnel who were on scene and who are assisting those in need."

PG&E crews are working to make the area safe, assess damage and restore service, where possible. PG&E's emergency operations center has been activated, and additional crews are ready to assist.

The damaged section of the 30-inch steel gas transmission pipeline has been isolated and gas flow has been stopped to the affected area. Gas flow to the area gas distribution pipes has also been stopped.

As of 4 a.m., there were approximately 300 customers without gas service and about 700 customers who remained without electricity. Initially, PG&E cut electric service to 5,800 customers in the area for the safety of first responders.

PG&E crews will be walking the neighborhood with the Fire Department this morning to make sure it is safe to restore power, where possible. PG&E crews are also proactively surveying the gas transmission and distribution system to determine the extent of damage and ensure safety and begin restoration and repairs.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the federal agency responsible for investigating natural gas pipeline incidents, is expected to be on site today. NTSB will lead a comprehensive investigation and will be the principal source of information about the investigation as it progresses.

PG&E will cooperate fully with the NTSB and all other federal, state and local agencies in the effort to identify the cause of this accident. The company will take all necessary steps to resolve any PG&E-related issues identified through the investigation process, and will take all appropriate steps to assist those affected.

Meanwhile, the company is working with the Red Cross to provide emergency shelter for those in need. Anyone in need of assistance or shelter can contact the Red Cross at 1-888-443-5722 (888-4-HELP-BAY).

As part of its community outreach, PG&E will have staff on hand at the Red Cross evacuation centers to help people obtain needed help and services. The company is also coordinating an employee blood drive today to assist with the response to this incident.
Read more PG&E Statement

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