DA Won't Seek Criminal Charges Against PG&E 3 Years After San Bruno Blast
SAN BRUNO (KCBS) — Three years after a deadly PG&E pipeline explosion in San Bruno, a spokeswoman for the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office told KCBS that they will not be filing criminal charges against the utility.
The statute of limitations to file criminal charges expired Monday, three years to the day of the blast.
Karen Guidotti, a spokesperson of District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, said that their office is still working with federal authorities to investigate the explosion and fire that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes.
It is unclear whether the Justice Department will file charges, as the statute of limitations for federal charges expires in two years.
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued 12 recommendations to improve the safety and reliability of PG&E's natural gas system, seven of which have been completed.
Also unresolved is the financial punishment the California Public Utilities Commission will impose on the utility. It has proposed a $4 billion financial punishment, including a fine of at least $300 million.
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