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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov Docket #: I.10-11-013

CPUC FINES PG&E $38 MILLION FOR
RANCHO CORDOVA NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION

SAN FRANCISCO, December 1, 2011 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today approved a $38 million fine against Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) as a result of a natural gas explosion and fire that occurred on December 24, 2008, in Rancho Cordova, Calif., which resulted in one fatality, other injuries, and property damage.

The CPUC determined that PG&E violated safety laws in several respects in connection with the Rancho Cordova explosion, which was caused by natural gas leaking from a PG&E distribution pipeline. Violations include:

A fine of $26 million was previously submitted by the parties to this proceeding for consideration by the Administrative Law Judge. That fine was rejected and a larger fine was put forth by the judge.

Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon, the assigned Commissioner in this proceeding said, "I commend Administrative Law Judge Wong's decision that levies this penalty on PG&E for safety violations resulting in a tragic fatality and property damage. This decision sends a signal that California is taking a firm stand on integrity and safety in its gas distribution infrastructure. Today's decision is part of the CPUC's ongoing effort to set a high bar on California's distribution pipeline safety standards that will incentivize utilities to maintain effective pipeline safety, risk assessment, and response procedures."

"I support the $38 million penalty and related stipulations," said Commissioner Catherine J.K. Sandoval. "It represents a strong reminder that safety and reliability of the natural gas system are of paramount importance to the CPUC and to the public interest. My deepest condolences to the family and community affected by this tragedy."

Added Commissioner Mark J. Ferron, "Today's decision not only fines PG&E for its culpability in this tragedy, but it also underscores that our role as a regulator is to expect and enforce a culture of safety. I cannot stress enough to PG&E management that safety must come before everything else; it must be paramount; it must be what everyone thinks about every day from the most senior executive to the worker in the field."

PG&E will not seek to recover from customers in rates any portion of the penalty and other costs associated with today's decision. The fine amount will be remitted to the state's General Fund.

The proposal voted on is available at http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/AGENDA_DECISION/153113.htm.

Information on the Rancho Cordova case is available at www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Enforcement/pge08.htm.

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

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