PG&E Announces Pipeline Safety Plan
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Pacific Gas & Electric has unveiled the Pipeline 2020 Program, which is aimed at strengthening the utility's natural gas transmission system.
KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:
The program will focus the company's effort on five major areas: modernizing critical pipeline infrastructure, expanding the use of automatic or remotely operated shut-off valves, spurring the development of next-generation inspection technologies, developing industry-leading best practices and enhancing public safety partnerships.
"The bottom line is, an accident like the one that occurred in San Bruno should never happen," said PG&E President Chris Johns. "It shouldn't happen here. It shouldn't happen anywhere."
Johns said the utility will also adopt any recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board.
PG&E said it will commit $10 million in shareholder money to developing the new inspection technology. But Johns said he is not sure about the cost for the remainder of the program or who would pay for it.
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