CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION: Natural Gas Pipeline Safety

ABSTRACT: SAFETY AND ENFORCEMENT

Response to Natural Gas Explosion in Carmel-by-the-Sea

In November 2014, CPUC staff issued a $10.85 million citation to PG&E resulting from a natural gas explosion occurring in March 2014 in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The utility failed to take necessary steps to make the area safe while it was planning work and also failed to adequately equip its construction crew with the tools necessary to stop the uncontrolled flow of natural gas, which led to the explosion of an unoccupied home.

Investigation into Natural Gas Safety Recordkeeping

In November 2014, the CPUC opened a formal Investigation into PG&E pertaining to its inadequate safety recordkeeping practices of its natural gas distribution service and facilities. This action complements an ongoing formal Investigation into the utility’s gas transmission practices that commenced in February 2011.

Source: California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) 2014 Annual Report,

Note: CPUC Proceeding No.  I.14-11-008

Timeline: Natural Gas Pipeline Safety

 2015

April 9, 2015: CPUC Penalizes PG&E $1.6 Billion for Pipeline Violations 

March 13, 2015: CPUC President Proposes $1.6 Billion in Remedies in PG&E Pipeline Cases, Increasing Penalty Amount by $200 Million and Directing $850 Million to Shareholder-Funded Safety Improvements 

2014

Nov. 20, 2014: CPUC Issues $10.85 Million Staff Citation to PG&E; Commissioners Open Formal Case To Evaluate PG&E’s Gas Distribution Recordkeeping

• Order Opening the Proceeding 
• Safety and Enforcement Division Investigation Reports 
• CPUC Press Release 

A Lj 2741411001 Citation

Public Utilities Commission

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

CITATION FOR VIOLATION(S) ISSUED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION ALJ-274 OF GENERAL ORDER 112-E

Gas Corporation (Operator): Pacific Gas & Electric Company

To Which Citation Is Issued

CITATION:

Operator is hereby cited for two violations resulting in a financial penalty of $10,850,000.

One violation occurred over multiple days. (See California Public Utilities Code § 21 08).

NOTE: Fine deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the General Fund.

REFERENCE:
Meyers Nave Advocacy Leads to $10.85 Million Fine Against PG&E for Carmel-by-the-Sea Explosion

NOTE: As of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s November 2015 Check Register, $221,233.90 Paid to Date to Meyers Nave Riback Silver & Wilson, A Professional Law Corporation