Pipeline Safety Forum Draws Peninsula Leaders

Political leaders from around the Peninsula will be in Palo Alto Thursday to hear PG&E and California Public Utilities Commission officials provide status reports on steps they have taken to improve pipeline safety.

Jerry Hill (D-San Bruno) is hosting the forum with Assemblymen Richard Gordon (D-Menlo Park) and Paul Fong (D-Cupertino).

PG&E and CPUC representatives will provide status reports on initiatives throughout the Peninsula that have been launched to improve safety in local communities since the and last year’s explosion at a Cupertino condo complex.

Residents will have the opportunity tomorrow to learn about repairs in their neighborhood and have the chance to question PG&E and CPUC representatives directly, as well as elected officials.

Last March, a PG&E representative visited a Burlingame City Council meeting to assure residents of the safety of pipelines 101, 109 and 132, which run through Burlingame. Line 132 is an extension of the line that exploded in San Bruno in 2010.

Unimpressed, then- of Lines 132 and 109, the oldest of the three. Since then, PG&E conducted hydrostatic testing of Line 132 and held an open house for residents wishing to learn more about the testing and pipeline safety.

Nagel’s fight for pipeline inspection and safety in Burlingame was a priority of her successful re-election campaign in November.

Paul Clanon, the executive director of CPUC, will be in attendance, as will Michelle Cooke, interim director of the Consumer Protection and Safety Division of the CPUC; and Roland Trevino, vice president of PG&E, Public Safety and Integrity Management.

When: Thursday, January 26, 2012, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Where: Palo Alto City Council Chambers

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