California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA ADVISORY

Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov Docket #: R.11-02-019

CPUC TO HOLD EDUCATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON HYDROSTATIC TESTING OF NATURAL GAS PIPELINES AND LESSONS LEARNED

SAN FRANCISCO, March 6, 2012 -- The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold its second educational symposium regarding hydrotesting of natural gas pipelines, focusing on lessons learned from 2011 activities.

When: March 7, 2012, 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: CPUC Auditorium, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco; also available in real-time and archived via video webcast at www.californiaadmin.com/cpuc.shtml

The goal of this symposium is to provide an update on Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) 2011 hydrotesting activities - more than 150 miles of hydrotesting was completed by PG&E in 2011 - and give the public more information to be able to understand and evaluate success, criticisms, and concerns about pipeline welding, hydrotesting, and repairs. Please see the agenda below.

In May 2011 the CPUC held a similar symposium on hydrostatic testing as PG&E began its hydrotesting program.

While a quorum of Commissioners from the CPUC may attend the symposium, no action will be taken.

For more information on hydrostatic testing, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/events/hydrotesting.htm.

For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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California Public Utilities Commission

Second Hydrostatic Testing Symposium

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

AGENDA

1:30 p.m.

Kick Off and Symposium Overview

Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD) Interim Director Michelle Cooke

1:35 p.m.

Opening Comments by Commissioners

1:45 p.m.

Hydrostatic Testing: One Year Later

Nick Stavropoulos, PG&E

· Recap PG&E's 2011 program scope

· How does hydrostatic testing fit into PG&E's overall safety program

· Why testing works to ensure safety

1:55 p.m.

Questions from Commissioners

2:05 p.m.

Hydrostatic Testing Process

Ben Campbell, PG&E

· Purpose of testing

· Steps involved in pipeline testing, including pipe validation and inspection

· What happens to the information on the forms and how it is used for integrity management and risk management

· Roles and qualifications/certifications of key players in testing process

· Methods to assess corrosion, pitting, welding problems

· What criteria does PG&E use to assess pipeline safety

· Options to address problems: repair or replace

· Quality control and assurance processes

2:30 p.m.

What Do You Know Now and What Do You Do?

George Licina, Chief Materials Consultant, Structural Integrity Associates, Inc.

· Fundamentals of Corrosion

· Fundamentals of Welding

2:40 p.m.

Pipeline Weld Verification

Pierre Bigras, PG&E

· Welding code requirements

· Recordkeeping of hydro test girth welds

· Repair process

· Welder qualifications: PG&E and contractors

· Recent weld failure experience and response

· Ed Porter, JAN X-Ray Services, Inc.

· Qualifications and training to be an x-ray technician, including liability

· Process for x-raying a weld

· What to look for in reviewing a weld

· Frequency of weld repairs

· Quality assurance of the independent process

3:25 p.m.

Questions by Commissioners

3:35 p.m.

Questions from the Public

3:50 p.m.

Closing and Next Steps

CPSD Interim Director Michelle Cooke