Federal Hearing Set To Begin On San Bruno Pipeline
SAN BRUNO (KCBS) – San Bruno city officials are on their way to Washington D.C. for a three-day hearing into last September's deadly pipeline explosion, a hearing that could have national implications.
Federal investigators have already determined that the blast occurred along a weak and previously unknown weld on the underground 30-inch gas line.
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:
Now, the National Transportation Safety Board is looking at how Pacific Gas and Electric runs its pipelines, assesses safety and monitors for maintenance.
San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane will be at one of the witness tables and said he is encouraged that rebuilding in the blast zone is progressing.
"We already have one permit that will be issued momentarily. And there are 11-12 other architects in line with their drawings," said Ruane. "So it's going. The physical rebuilding will in fact happen, but the psychological rebuilding will take years. For some people, it's just not going to happen."
The pipeline explosion and fire killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes.
The San Bruno catastrophe is one of five major pipeline accidents nationwide since May of 2009.
The hearing will begin on Tuesday, as PG&E officials are expected to give the most detailed public account yet of the explosion. Some 30 witnesses are expected to be called throughout the hearing.
(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
