California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
_________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov Docket #: R.11-02-019
CPUC, AHEAD OF NATION, TAKES NEXT STEP
IN ASSURING NATURAL GAS PIPELINE SAFETY
SAN FRANCISCO, August 26, 2011 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today will receive Implementation Plans from the state's investor-owned natural gas utilities to orderly and cost effectively replace or test all natural gas transmission pipelines in the state that have not been pressure tested.
In a June 2011 decision, the CPUC ordered all California natural gas transmission operators to develop and file Implementation Plans to test or replace pipelines that have no record of pressure tests.
"We are working diligently to improve pipeline safety in California and testing and replacing pipelines plays a major part in our efforts. The Implementation Plans filed by the utilities will undergo a full public vetting before any plans or costs are approved by the CPUC, and more information on that process will be forthcoming," said Commissioner Mike Florio. "We are also moving quickly to consider and establish new rules for the safe and reliable operation of natural gas pipelines in California. In fact, California has now ordered what the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is just now considering, making California a model for the nation with regards to pipeline safety. To further our efforts, we will hold a public workshop on natural gas emergency response planning on September 26-27th."
The Plans submitted by the utilities will be available at: www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/events/110224_pipeline.htm.
For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
###
