PG&E to Check Gas Pipeline Vulnerability

Pacific Gas & Electric is checking for leaks in 180 segments of its natural gas pipeline system which may be vulnerable to corrosion – including part of a California line where an explosion killed eight people in 2010.

The utility announced Tuesday that it is conducting emergency leak surveys. A company letter to state regulators says more than half of the 180 segments were found to have corrosion vulnerabilities this year.

However, the San Francisco Chronicle says some lines had been identified as potentially vulnerable since 2004.

PG&E says among the pipes with corrosion vulnerability is one that ruptured in San Bruno two years ago, causing a blast and fire that destroyed 38 homes.

The affected section is a 9-mile span north of the blast area that runs into San Francisco.