Neighbor News
PG&E should replace pipelines, not clear-cut protected trees
PG&E says cutting trees along the gas pipeline will improve safety, but it dangerously ignores the need for pipeline replacement.
The March 27, 2017 agreement between PG&E and the City of Lafayette paved the way for the destruction of 272 trees, 216 of which are protected under local ordinance. This unnecessary move does not protect gas pipelines, it destroys our rural environment and reduces home values. PG&E cannot point to a single gas explosion due to tree roots; San Bruno's 2010 disaster (for which PG&E was convicted of 6 felonies) was caused by defective welding that should have been tested. Trees may even be beneficial to pipelines as they help stabilize soil structure.
A group of Lafayette residents have banded together and formed a petition on Change.org. We've also started a website: www.savelafayettetrees.org.
Our demands are four-fold:
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- PG&E must publish a map of the 272 trees. They have refused, stating fears of terrorism. Yet, their site shows the placement of ever inch of the pipeline and is searchable by address.
- PG&E must put notices on every private and public tree for removal.
- PG&E and/or the city of Lafayette must inform tree owners that they are under NO OBLIGATION to sign a tree removal agreement. This is federal law.
- Finally, PG&E must explore shielding or moving some of the 60-year old pipeline away from trees, such as along the Lafayette-Moraga Trail where there is ample accessibility and room to do so.
PG&E has a history of throwing PR people and chainsaws at their gasoline problem. They believe in a "one size fits all" their insistence on removal is the only option forward. We respectfully disagree and request immediate action.
