PG&E replacing aging gas mains

Petalumans driving Old Adobe or Frates Road have likely noticed PG&E workers installing new pipeline beneath Green String Farm, where the two streets converge. The utility company’s work to replace and upgrade the natural gas main, which was installed more than 50 years ago, is part of its larger effort along the West Coast to improve safety following a deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno in 2010 that killed eight, injured more than 60 and destroyed dozens of homes.

PG&E was indicted in April for failing to maintain its pipelines, and faces additional federal charges related to the explosion. PG&E pleaded not guilty to 12 criminal felony charges, which allege that the company knowingly violated the federal Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act. The law requires the company’s operators to maintain accurate records and knowledge of the condition of its pipes.

Since the tragedy, PG&E spokesperson Brittany McKannay said over the past few years, the company has significantly increased the testing and maintenance of its pipeline system, and has planned upgrades when needed. This includes pressure testing transmission lines, conducting leak surveys and repairing leaks that they discover along the way.

“The tragedy in San Bruno has certainly allowed us to further our efforts in making sure that we have the safest gas system in the nation,” she said.

McKannay said replacement of transmission pipes, which are large natural gas mains, and distribution pipes, smaller mains that reach into homes, has taken place throughout the North Bay and Sonoma County, as well as the company’s service area from Bakersfield to Eureka. Within the last few years, McKannay said a distribution pipe replacement project took place in Petaluma near B Street, and a transmission line was tested near East Washington Street.

The current 16-inch natural gas main replacement at the corner of Old Adobe Road and Frates Road began in mid-June, following an open house at the Petaluma Community Center in May, during which PG&E officials presented its two planned pipe replacement projects to residents. McKannay said letters were also sent out to PG&E customers, letting them know when and where the work would take place. Natural gas services are not disrupted during such replacements, because the company can utilize other transmission lines in the area.

McKannay said while crews have trenched certain areas in order to lay the new transmission pipe, much of the work will involve underground digging by machines, which creates less of an impact to the surrounding area. In this case, that’s Green String’s farmland.

When PG&E is planning a project that requires an easement for work on private property, McKannay said those property owners are contacted ahead of time to discuss the specifics of the work.

“Depending on the project, there could be certain needs the property owner has or that we have, so there’s a lot of discussion beforehand about what the project will entail, what the schedule will be and what impacts it will have,” McKannay said.

An employee at Green String Farm chose not to comment on PG&E’s extensive construction on the organic farm’s property.

McKannay said the work on the east side of Petaluma will most likely be completed in September. In the meantime, a second upgrade project will start up later this month along East Washington Street. Replacement of a 24-inch gas main that runs parallel to East Washington will begin near the Petaluma Municipal Airport and continue west toward Highway 101. That work will likely finish up in October.

McKannay said some of the East Washington gas main replacement will be done at night, in am attempt to limit traffic congestion at major intersections such as North McDowell and Sonoma Mountain Parkway. Work around these intersections is slated to take place in August or September.

“We’re very appreciative of the community and their patience so we can make our system even safer in the area,” McKannay said.

(Contact Allison Jarrell at allison.jarrell@argus courier.com)