This month’s fatal pipeline rupture near Bakersfield highlights a challenge that has vexed state, federal and private-sector officials in recent years: how to improve coordination between natural gas utilities and excavation contractors to better protect public safety.
Largely a result of the 2010 pipeline rupture that killed eight people in San Bruno, government and industry have been looking for ways to avoid potentially dangerous outcomes when contractors dig without knowing the location of underground utilities — or receive inaccurate or untimely information from pipeline owners.
Largely a result of the 2010 pipeline rupture that killed eight people in San Bruno, government and industry have been looking for ways to avoid potentially dangerous outcomes when contractors dig without knowing the location of underground utilities — or receive inaccurate or untimely information from pipeline owners.
One of the more promising developments has been a private accord announced last month after years of sometimes contentious talks between San Francisco-based Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and members of the California trade group United Contractors. The agreement called for PG&E to hire more pipeline markers and train them better, among other measures.
The trade group presented PG&E with contractor survey data suggesting the utility had “systematic” problems providing accurate and timely pipeline location information, said Mark Breslin, president and CEO of United Contractors, which represents 500 companies doing $30 billion per year in contracting work statewide.