State safety official urges PUC to impose sanctions against PG&E

"SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A top California utility safety official is slamming Pacific Gas and Electric Co. for "meaningless" pledges after the fatal San Bruno pipeline explosion in 2010, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.  (refers to the second article)..

Did PG&E Corporation learn anything?

Corporate culture problem, safety failed

In a regulatory filing this week, safety program manager Raffy Stepanian urged the state Public Utilities Commission  to impose sanctions on PG&E in connection with the explosion, the newspaper said.

"Jingles and slogans aside, PG&E Co. has not changed its focus from serving the board to serving its customers, captive ratepayers and people of California," Stepanian wrote in urging the commission to impose sanctions against the company.  "PG&E Co. has not delivered real corporate culture change," he said.  San Francisco Chronicle/Associated Press, 8/25/12. "Safety official slams PG&E over San Bruno blast."  Read Article. 

  ....  Pacific Gas and Electric Co. made "meaningless" pledges following the San Bruno pipeline disaster while doing nothing to change its corporate emphasis on profit over ensuring the safety of its natural-gas system, a top California utility safety official alleges in an extraordinarily harsh regulatory filing." 

Fire coverage and lawsuits.

8 people dead, 38 homes distroyed

The company has said it expects to be fined a total of more than $200 million for several regulatory violations stemming from the September 2010 blast, which killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes. Meanwhile, it began a $10 million advertising campaign last month that features CEO Tony Earley, who joined PG&E after the pipeline explosion, acknowledging that the company "lost its way" before the disaster and promising to improve safety. 

Toothless' changes.  Stepanian also challenged PG&E's overall commitment to safety, saying that although the company has created several committees to upgrade safety, they "appear to be toothless." The committees lack performance criteria or specified powers to influence the corporate board in favor of safety, he said.

As for PG&E's post-accident pipeline-improvement efforts - including stepped-up strength testing, replacement and leak-inspection programs - Stepanian said most simply follow existing law or regulators' orders. "PG&E is being forced into a new safety paradigm," Stepanian wrote.  San Francisco Chronicle/Jaxon Van Derbeken, 8/24/12.  "PG&E slammed for 'meaningless' Changes."  Read Article.

Reference - PG&E website.

Posted by Kathy Meeh