Timeline: Natural Gas Pipeline Safety
2022
Jun 24, 2022: CPUC Staff Propose Penalizing PG&E for Failure To Promptly Remediate Safety Issue
2021
2020
2019
February 1, 2019: CPUC Issues Citation to Southern California Gas Company for Safety Code Violations
2018
February 8, 2018: CPUC Adopts Protections for Consumers of Natural Gas Transport Agents
June 18, 2018: CPUC to Review SoCalGas Pipeline Outages that Contribute to Recommendation to Increase Aliso Canyon Gas Storage Volume
October 25, 2018: CPUC Strengthens Consumer Protections with Citation Program for Third-Party Natural Gas Suppliers
December 13, 2018: CPUC Acts to Reduce Natural Gas and Electric Disconnections for Residential Customers
December 13, 2018: CPUC Advances Safety of Electric and Natural Gas Infrastructure in California
December 14, 2018: CPUC Opens Case Against PG&E for Potential Natural Gas Safety Violations
December 25, 2018: CPUC, CARB, and Department of Food and Agriculture Select Dairy Biomethane Projects to Demonstrate Connection to Gas Pipelines
2017
February 9, 2017: CPUC to Consider Future of Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility
March 30, 2017: CPUC to Hold Hearings in its Proceeding to Consider Future of Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility
June 1, 2017: CPUC Issues $200,000 Citation to Southwest Gas for Safety Code Violation
July 19, 2017: State Inspections Confirm Safety of Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility
2016
January 27, 2016: CPUC Sets Stage for Consideration of Future of Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility
November 10, 2016: CPUC Authorizes Winter Conservation Programs for SoCalGas Customers
August 18, 2016: CPUC Increases PG&E Penalty to $25.6 Million for Natural Gas Distribution System Recordkeeping and Safety Violations
July 14, 2016: CPUC Denies SoCalGas Request to Build North-South Pipeline Project
June 23, 2016: CPUC Sets Operating Costs for PG&E's Gas Transmission and Storage Services
June 1, 2016: CPUC Judge Penalizes PG&E $24.3 Million for Recordkeeping and Safety Violations in Natural Gas Distribution System
March 14, 2016: CPUC Issues Commissioner Ruling Directing SoCalGas and Edison to Enhance Energy Savings Assistance Program Efforts
2015
April 20, 2015: CPUC Continues Investigation of PG&E Pipeline Explosion in Fresno to Determine Cause of Pipeline Failure
April 9, 2015: CPUC Penalizes PG&E $1.6 Billion for Pipeline Violations
2014
Nov. 20, 2014: CPUC Issues $10.85 Million Staff Citation to PG&E; Commissioners Open Formal Case To Evaluate PG&E’s Gas Distribution Recordkeeping
- Order Opening the Proceeding
- Safety and Enforcement Division Investigation Reports
- CPUC Press Release
September 19, 2014: NTSB Responds to Status Report
August 27, 2014: NTSB Status Report
August 27, 2014: IRP Status Report
August 14, 2014: CPUC Status Report to the NTSB on Progress Made Toward Safety Recommendations
2013
December 19, 2013: CPUC Fines PG&E $14.35 Million for Ethics Violations
July 16, 2013: CPUC Staff Amended Brief on Fines and remedies in PG&E Enforcement Cases
June 26, 2013: CPUC Comments on Staffing Changes To PG&E Enforcement Cases
June 3, 2013: CPUC Letter to NTSB on Progress Made in Addressing Safety Recommendations
March 20, 2013: NTSB Letter to Governor Brown re: Closing as Acceptable Safety Recommendation P-11-21
2012
Dec. 20, 2012: CPUC Approves Pipeline Safety Plan For PG&E; Increases Whistleblower Protections
Nov. 1, 2012:CPSD Status Report Filing (I.12-01-007, I.11-02-016, I.11-11-009)
Oct 26, 2012:CPUC urges parties to PG&E Pipeline Cases to continue talks; withdraws mediator
Oct. 23, 2012: Safety Leadership Conference, L.A.
Oct. 15, 2012: Former U.S. Senator George Mitchell Appointed as Mediator for Negotiations Over PG&E San Bruno Pipeline Explosion Fines and Remedies
Oct. 5, 2012: Natural Gas Safety Action Plan – Oct. 2012 (Updated April 2013)
Oct. 5. 2012: CPSD Motion to Suspend Proceedings in Order to Facilitate Negotiations (I.12-01-007)
Sept. 13, 2012: San Francisco Cast Iron Gas Pipe Replacement
Sept. 5, 2012: CPUC staff investigation finds no fault with PG&E weld practices
Aug. 21, 2012: Overland Consulting Financial Analysis of PG&E Corporation
June 26, 2012: Safety Leadership Conference
May 7, 2012: CPUC Letter to NTSB re: Status of CPUC Implementation of Recommendations Related to San Bruno Tragedy
May 7, 2012: Gas Pipeline Safety Update
April 19, 2012: CPUC Affirms Citation and Fine Against PG&E
April 12, 2012: CPUC Supports National Dig Month and Reminds Californians to Call 811 Before Digging
April 4, 2012: CPUC Welcomes Brigadier General (CA) Jack Hagan as Consumer Protection and Safety Director
March 14, 2012: Risk Assessment Unit Report on Status and Initial Recommendations
March 12, 2012: Reference Documents for CPSD Reports in Recordkeeping Penalty Consideration Case
March 7, 2012: Second Educational Symposium Regarding Hydrostatic Testing of Natural Gas Pipelines
February 21, 2012:CPUC Levied Fines and Restitution - 1999 to February 21, 2012
Feb. 17, 2012: CPUC Response Letter to PHMSA's 2010 Program Evaluation Letter
- Dec. 23, 2011: PHMSA Letter to CPUC on 2010 Program Evaluation
Feb. 16, 2012: CPUC Sponsors Legislative Bills to Obtain Needed Safety and Enforcement Tools
Feb. 13, 2012: CPUC Follows-Up on Allegations Regarding PG&E Pipeline Work
Feb. 13, 2012: CPUC Proposal Aims to Improve Public Access to Documents
Jan. 31, 2012: CPUC Issues Joint Statement of President Peevey and Commissioner Florio Regarding PG&E Pipeline Rupture Case
Jan. 27, 2012: CPUC Fines PG&E $16 Million Through Citation Program
- Read the Citation
- Appeal of Citation, filed Feb. 1, 2012
- ALJ's Draft Decision Denying Appeal, March 19, 2012
- Read the Press Release
Jan. 2012: Overview of CPUC Actions in Response to NTSB and Independent Review Panel Recommendations
Jan. 11, 2012: System Safety & Security in Ratemaking Workshop
2011
Dec. 15, 2011: CPUC Lifts Pressure Restrictions on Certain PG&E Pipelines Following Review
Dec. 7, 2011: CPUC Issues RFP Seeking Expert to Audit Natural Gas Safety and Reliability Program
Dec. 1, 2011: CPUC Expands Gas Safety Enforcement Tools With New Citation Program
Nov. 10, 2011: CPUC Begins Penalty Consideration Case Regarding Alleged PG&E Pipeline Classification Violations
Oct. 18, 2011: CPUC President Comments on PG&E Hiring of Former NTSB Chair to Advise on Natural Gas Safety
Oct. 6, 2011: CPUC Lifts Pressure Restriction on PG&E’s Topock Compressor Station
Sept. 26, 2011: NTSB Releases San Bruno Incident Investigation Report
Sept. 15, 2011: CPUC Letter to Honorable Roger Dickinson, Chair, Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review
Sept. 8, 2011: CPUC Orders PG&E to Use Public Process to Request Authorization to Restore Pipeline Pressure to Previous Operating Levels
August 30, 2011: CPUC Comments on NTSB Findings Regarding PG&E Pipeline Rupture in San Bruno
August 26, 2011: Utilities File Implementation Plans
August 17, 2011: CPUC Presentation to the Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review
August 9, 2011: CPUC Reminds Californians to Call 811 Before Digging
August 9, 2011: CPUC Welcomes New Leadership to PG&E Corporation
July 22, 2011: CPUC Embarks on Search for New Safety Director
July 7, 2011: CPUC Elevates Pipeline Safety With Creation of New Risk Assessment Unit and More Inspectors
June 30, 2011: PG&E 6/30/11 Letter to the CPUC on Class Location Designation
June 9, 2011: CPUC Orders All California Gas Transmission Operators to Test or Replace Pipeline Not Previously Pressure Tested
June 9, 2011: Independent Review Panel Releases Report
May 13, 2011: CPUC response to Representative Speier's request
May 10, 2011: PG&E Report on Status of MAOP Validation
May 6, 2011: Educational Symposium on Hydrostatic Testing of Natural Gas Pipeline
May 3, 2011: CPUC staff letter to Sempra re: MAOP Validation Submission
April 26, 2011: CPUC response letter to PG&E concerning MAOP Validation Methodology
April 15, 2011: Sempra Responds to CPUC Directive re: NTSB Safety Recommendations
- April 19, 2011: Letter from Sempra proving further clarification of April 15th filing
- April 26, 2011: Sempra Update on Actions Taken in Response to NTSB Safety Recommendations
- May 9, 2011: Sempra Update Letter on Actions Taken in Response to NTSB Safety Recommendations
April 14, 2011: CPUC Approves Settlement in PG&E Gas Transmission and Storage Case and Calls for Semi-Annual Safety Report
April 1, 2011: Congresswoman Speier's letter to the CPUC with proposals for natural gas transmission line safety
- April 8, 2011: Executive Director's response letter to Congresswoman Speier
March 29, 2011: NTSB letter to CPUC requesting periodic updates on implementing Safety Recommendations
March24, 2011: CPUC to Consider $6 Million Fine Against PG&E for Non-Compliance With Pipeline Records Search Order
- Proposed Stipulated Outcome
- March 30, 2011: Motion of CPSD to adopt the stipulation re: Order to Show Cause
- March 30, 2011: Motion of PG&E for approval of Stipulation re: Order to Show Cause
- March 30, 2011: Ruling setting April 11, 2011, Oral Argument on Order to Show Cause
March 21, 2011: PG&E's supplement to its March 15th report on pipeline records search
March 17, 2011: CPUC Considers Adding Item to March 24 Meeting
March 16, 2011: CPUC Demands Records From PG&E After Utility Fails to Comply with CPUC Orders; CPUC Staff to Recommend Fines and Penalties
March 15, 2011: Proposed Decision Issued in PG&E Gas Transmission and Storage Case
March 15, 2011: PG&E's response to CPUC's order to aggressively and diligently search for pipeline records.
March 11, 2011:PG&E agrees to reimburse the CPUC for its costs incurred in investigating the causes of the San Bruno rupture and for the costs of any other CPUC investigation that stems from it.
March 8, 2011: CPUC response letter to Assemblyman Hill re: re: PG&E records search
March 8, 2011: Letter from Assemblyman Hill to CPUC re: PG&E records search
March 1-3, 2011: NTSB Hearings
Feb. 24, 2011: CPUC Begins Penalty Consideration Regarding PG&E Gas Pipeline Recordkeeping (I.11-02-016)
Feb. 24, 2011: CPUC to Set New Rules for Safe, Reliable Operation of State’s Natural Gas Pipelines (Proceeding R.11-02-019)
Feb. 22, 2011: CPUC Unveils Proposed Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Proceeding
Feb. 11, 2011: PG&E's Top 100 Segments 2007-2009- Updated March 9, 2011
Feb. 7, 2011: Independent Review Panel's Interim Report, Feb. 7, 2011
Feb. 7, 2011: CPUC Reply Letter to Assembly Member Hill's Jan. 19, 2011, Letter
Feb. 2, 2011: CPUC Orders PG&E to Reduce Operating Pressure on Additional Gas Transmission Pipelines
Feb. 1, 2011: PG&E Files Information on Actions re: CPUC Directive re: NTSB Safety Recommendations
Feb. 1, 2011: PG&E’s Accelerated Gas Transmission System Aerial and Ground Leak Survey Trends Report
Feb. 1, 2011: Sempra's Response to Jan. 3, 2011, CPUC Directive
Jan. 21, 2011: Southwest Gas Corporation's Response to Jan. 3, 2011, CPUC Directive
Jan. 13, 2011: CPUC Sets March 15 Deadline for PG&E to Comply With Pipeline Records Search Related to San Bruno Explosion
Jan. 7, 2011: PG&E Responds to CPUC directive re: NTSB safety recommendations
Jan. 7, 2011: PG&E Response to Data Request re: hydro tested pipeline
Jan 7, 2011: PG&E Response to Data Request re: miles of pipe in the Bay Area that have been hydro-tested
Jan. 3, 2011: CPUC Response to NTSB Safety Recommendation Letter re: San Bruno Pipeline Explosion
2010
Dec.16, 2010: CPUC Executive Director Letter to PG&E re: Safety Response to the NTSB Advisory of Dec. 14, 2010
Nov. 23, 2010: CPUC Response Letter to Senator Padilla re: hiring additional inspectors
Oct. 28, 2010: CPUC Gives Rate Relief to San Bruno Customers; Ensures Safe Natural Gas Supply for Winter
Oct. 27, 2010: PG&E Letter to San Bruno Mayor Ruane committing to not rebuild the damaged section of Line 132 in its current location
Oct. 25, 2010: PG&E Response to CPUC Directives (in CPUC letters dated Sept. 13, Sept. 17, Oct. 15, and CPUC Res. L-403):
- Assessment of gas transmission pipelines in the San Bruno area
- Preliminary report on the replacement or retrofit of manually operated valves with automatically or remotely controlled valves on PG&E gas transmission pipelines.
- Accelerated gas system survey initial report.
- Curtailment plans.
Oct. 2010: CPUC's Safety and Enforcement Role
Oct. 2010: CPUC's Utility Safety Graduated Enforcement Program
Oct. 14, 2010: CPUC Announces Expert Panelists for Independent Study of San Bruno Explosion
Oct. 8, 2010: CPUC Considers Adding Item to Oct. 14 Meeting
Oct. 8, 2010: Pipeline Safety Q&A
Oct. 12, 2010:PG&E letter requesting extension to supply certain information
- Oct. 5, 2010: CPUC Executive Director request
Sept. 23, 2010: CPUC Approves Establishment of Expert Panel to Study San Bruno Explosion
Sept. 20, 2010: CPUC Provides Information on PG&E Natural Gas Pipelines
- Long Range Gas Transmission Pipeline Planning Input Top 100 Segments
- PG&E Response to CPUC Sept.17, 2010 Letter
- PG&E Response to CPUC Sept. 13, 2010 Letter
- CPUC GO112 Audit Peninsula
- CPUC GO112 Audit Hollister-Milpitas
Sept. 17, 2010: CPUC Executive Director Letter to PG&E re: Questions About San Bruno Pipeline Explosion
Sept. 13, 2010: CPUC Executive Director Letter to PG&E
Sept. 12, 2010: CPUC Orders PG&E to Take Specific Action Related to San Bruno Explosion, Including Inspection of Natural Gas System
- Sept. 12, 2010: Directive to CPUC Executive Director from President Peevey
Sept. 10, 2010: CPUC Establishes Phone Number and Email Address for Tips to Aid in Investigation of San Bruno Explosion
Sept. 9, 2010: CPUC Investigates San Bruno Explosion and Fire