Herrera praises CPUC decision to open public proceeding into gas line safety
City Attorney, TURN petitioned yesterday for a 'thorough, transparent investigation' by the commission regulating California's utilities
SAN FRANCISCO (Jan. 27, 2011) -- City Attorney Dennis Herrera praised today's announcement by California Public Utilities Commission President Michael R. Peevey that the CPUC will open a formal proceeding into gas pipeline safety in California. Peevey's announcement at the commission's twice-monthly business meeting today came a day after Herrera and The Utility Reform Network, or TURN, petitioned for a formal investigation into last September's explosion of a PG&E gas pipeline that killed eight people and destroyed dozens of homes in San Bruno, Calif. The CPUC president said he would submit a proposed order at the next commission meeting on Feb. 24. The proceeding would consolidate various current actions on pipeline safety, and apply to all pipelines in the state -- not just those operated by PG&E.
In response to the announcement, City Attorney Herrera issued the following statement:
"I applaud the commission's decision to open a formal proceeding, which will provide a public forum to improve safety and assess needed regulatory changes. I am very grateful to have joined with TURN and others in arguing that such a comprehensive inquiry is necessary to protect the public and to ensure the safe delivery of natural gas statewide."
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