San Bruno Seeks Crestmoor Canyon Wildfire Mitigation Project

City of San Bruno:Today, the City of San Bruno requested that Federal Judge William Alsup consider approving a $3 million negotiated commitment from PG&E to establish a community benefit project for wildfire mitigation in and around San Bruno’s Crestmoor Canyon. If approved, the funding would satisfy PG&E’s remaining 2,670 hours of community service and provide initial resources to launch a Crestmoor Canyon Wildfire Mitigation Project to clear vegetation, remove fallen trees and create defensible space zone behind private and public property that directly surrounds the Canyon.

In 2017, PG&E was sentenced to complete 10,000 hours of community service as a condition of their probation in the criminal prosecution arising from the 2010 gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno. At present, approximately three quarters of the court-mandated hours have been completed –some in San Bruno and a significant portion within communities throughout San Mateo County. The City of San Bruno’s request seeks to re-direct the remaining hours to benefit the Crestmoor neighborhood that was directly impacted by the pipeline explosion and fire as well as the broader San Bruno community by reducing wildfire risks. Judge Alsup asked the City to return with a detailed plan for the Crestmoor Canyon Wildfire Mitigation Project at a follow-up hearing set for November 12.

At today’s hearing, Judge Alsup was clear that, if approved, the $3 million should be spent on vegetation management and fire mitigation to directly benefit San Bruno residents –not on consultants or regulatory approvals needed for the project and that the City should not seek any further funding through the court for the project. In preparation for the November 12 hearing, City staff intends to formalize the conceptual proposal by seeking City Council approval for a capital improvement project that will outline the scope of work, a project schedule, and local commitment of funds to plan and initiate the regulatory approvals needed for the proposed project. Mayor Rico Medina said after the hearing, “I look forward to reviewing the detailed project plan and concur that any funds from PG&E should only be spent on clearing vegetation and creating defensible space in the Canyon. The City’s goal has always been to protect its residents and this project will do that.”