PG&E: Take Responsibility for 2010's San Bruno Pipeline Disaster

Did you remember the natural gas pipeline explosion in 2010 in San Bruno, California?  Thanks to lax safety and maintenance standards on the part of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), an entire neighborhood of 38 homes went up in flames and 8 residents perished.

Now, in response to new heavy safety regulations by the California Public Utilities Commission, PG&E is arguing that customers should pay for most of its new $2.2 billion safety improvement project.

PG&E argues that customers should bear this financial burden because state regulations are new, and the company has already put in $1 billion into San Bruno pipeline updates since the disaster.  CEO Anthony Earley also said last week that the hefty fine imposed by the state threatens the company's financial viability.

However, this is absurd.  Even if each consumer is only charged an addition $1.85 per month through 2014, the blame for this disaster rests squarely upon the shoulders of PG&E.  Customers should not suffer rate hikes as a result of the company's negligence.

Tell the California Public Utilities Commission to reject PG&E's request.  PG&E should shoulder the full cost of the San Bruno tragedy.