PG&E Statement on Audit, Analysis and Opening of New Investigation Into San Bruno Accident

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) provides the following statement from the utility's president, Chris Johns, in response to today's CPUC actions:

"We are taking their findings very seriously, and we will cooperate fully with the investigation. It is clear that PG&E's past gas operations practices were not what they should have been. We have admitted these shortcomings, and we are committed to raising the level of pipeline safety to new, higher standards. Nothing is more important to us, and our customers, than making sure our operations are as safe as possible. To that end, we have already made fundamental changes to our gas operations and are continuing with our aggressive plan to make further improvements.

"Our progress has included several major initiatives, with more to come. This includes testing and replacing pipelines; installing automated shut-off valves; updating our emergency response plans; and implementing our multi-year pipeline modernization plan that will apply new, stricter standards to older pipelines and enhance safety across the entire gas transmission system.

"It is clear that our operations can be improved upon, and all of us at PG&E are working hard on that every single day. We recognize that there is much more work ahead to be the company our customers expect us to be. All 20,000 of us at PG&E share in this responsibility – and are vigorously committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable and customer-focused gas and electric service."

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company