SACRAMENTO – Today, the California Assembly unanimously approved legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) to require PG&E and other gas utility companies to install automatic and remotely-controlled shutoff valves throughout California’s pipelines.
The gas pipeline that exploded on September 9, 2010 in San Bruno was only equipped with manual shutoff valves and without a technician in the vicinity, the inferno continued for hours, killing 8 people and destroying 38 homes.
Yee’s SB 216 would require installation of automatic or remotely-controlled valves on all pipelines that cross an active seismic earthquake fault or are located within a High Consequence Area. Under SB 216, automatic or remotely-controlled shutoff valves would be required every 2.5 miles in the highest density areas (Class 4); every 4 miles in medium density areas (Class 3); every 7.5 miles in low density areas (Class 2), and every 10 miles in extremely low density areas (Class 1). Currently, federal regulations only require manual shutoff valves in these locations.
At probe's end, San Bruno pipe's origin is unknown - SFGate
“If SB 216 had been in place last year, the devastation in San Bruno would have been limited and lives could have been saved,” said Yee. “We must continue to be vigilant in holding PG&E and other utility companies accountable. SB 216 is one of the ways we will hold them accountable and help ensure residents are safe.”
Today, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) unveiled that Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) had a “litany of failures” that led to last year's pipeline explosion in San Bruno.
“It is now crystal clear who is at fault in destroying the Glenview neighborhood and tragically killing eight members of our community,” said Yee. “PG&E’s failures were systemic, dating back decades. They not only could have and should have prevented this catastrophe, but they had several opportunities to do so. This is nothing short of gross negligence.”
“PG&E must not only be held accountable for this disaster but also in ensuring such an incident never happens again,” said Yee. “The burden to install quality pipes, perform adequate inspections, and implement new technology should be the responsibility of the shareholders and not ratepayers.”
Last October, Yee introduced legislation that was signed into law to provide disaster relief for the affected families in San Bruno and to assist the County of San Mateo, City of San Bruno, and local schools.
The law allows a continuation of the $7,000 property tax exemption for homeowners who would have qualified for the exemption if their home had not been damaged or destroyed. In addition, taxpayers (personal and business) can deduct income loss as result of the incident. Finally, the law includes assistance to the County of San Mateo, City of San Bruno, and local schools by providing a one-year reimbursement from the State for any tax losses related to the lower property assessments of damaged or destroyed homes.
SB 216 must receive a procedural concurrence vote in the Senate before consideration by the Governor.
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