San Carlos pipeline to increase operating pressure

The San Carlos, US, PG&E natural gas pipeline has been allowed to be restored to full pressure following a meeting of the California Public Utilities Commission. The controversial pipeline will now operate at a normal level, allowing for the transportation of a higher volume of natural gas.

As well as being given permission to raise the pipeline pressure, PG&E was fined by the commission due to incorrect information being delivered concerning the pipeline. The company was fined $14.35 million (£8.7 million) for submitting a report seven months late and including misleading information about the pipeline seams.

Commissioner Mark Ferron proposed the fine and hopes it will show other energy firms that are regulated by the commission that misleading and late information will not be tolerated. 

A unanimous vote approved the decision to increase pipeline pressure and award the fine to the energy company. The ruling means PG&E is able to increase pipeline pressure to 330 pounds per square inch, which is a rise from the previous 125 pounds per square inch that was ordered by the commission in October while a safety probe investigated the pipeline.

Officials in San Carlos brought up questions of safety concerning the pipeline in October this year following the discovery of internal company emails sent in November 2012 that mentioned concerns over inaccurate pipeline records. 

One of the emails was written by a consulting engineer and expressed concern over corrosion and thin walls throughout the pipe, asking whether it was likely that an incident such as that seen in San Bruno in 2010 where a pipeline rupture caused an explosion and fire that resulted in eight deaths.

The officials have met the decision to raise pipeline pressure with concern, despite the fact the commission, PG&E and an outside expert have declared the pipeline safe. San Carlos leaders asked for more time to launch their own investigation into the issues raised in the emails. According to Mark Olbert, mayor of San Carlos, a lawsuit is currently being considered in an effort to challenge the commission's decision.