High Risk Gas Pipeline in San Carlos

Evidently the grade separation project for the berm only 15 years ago has caused PG & E to list a section of their gas pipeline as the 46th riskiest section in the entire state of California.

From the NY Times:

” many experts and studies say is weak oversight of gas pipelines in the United States, a problem that has contributed to hundreds of pipeline episodes that have killed 60 people and injured 230 others in the last five years. Those figures do not include the final toll of the explosion of another Pacific Gas and Electric pipeline this month in San Bruno, Calif., that left seven people dead and more than 50 injured.”

Here is a link to that article along with links to additional reporting:

NY Times

Mercury News

San Mateo Daily Journal

SF Examiner

PG & E’s map has the number 18 next to this troublesome section, although the article states that it is the 46th riskiest section.  Whatever the number is, it is very unsettling.  Hopefully the mayor and city council will move forcefully on this issue, get the section repaired and will make sure that any HSR work or any other potential development along the railroad corridor is strictly monitored for gas line and electrical safety.  It is very disturbing that something done as little as 15 years ago is considered such a high risk.  The reporting mentions El Camino and Brittan but the video is showing a relief gas line on Old County Road south of Brittan.

From the Mercury News:

A major intersection near downtown San Carlos sits above natural gas pipeline segments listed by PG&E as among the 100 riskiest in the state.

That news surprised San Carlos officials, who say they intend to pepper Pacific Gas & Electric Co. with questions about how problematic those segments are and what the utility plans to do about them.

Although PG&E representatives stressed Monday that segments on the list don’t pose an imminent public danger, local officials and residents weren’t so easily assured. The Sept. 9 natural gas pipeline explosion that killed four people, left three unaccounted for and destroyed more than three dozen homes in San Bruno was still fresh in everyone’s minds.

In San Carlos, a pipeline segment near Brittan Avenue and El Camino Real was ranked No. 46 due to such factors as its age, welding or fitting type, and the material it is made out of.

“I hate that they are now looking at the problem because there was a major catastrophe,” said San Carlos resident Lori Field. “Having a young child and living in this area and living near the pipeline, of course I’m concerned.”

San Carlos officials said they do not know what exactly is wrong with the segment, but expect to learn more today. The intersection near downtown is a transportation hub — Caltrain tracks lie just east of the El Camino Real corridor, and Brittan Avenue exits onto southbound Highway 101. A Jack-in-the-Box and a Shell station straddle Brittan on the west side of El Camino.

PG&E documents show that the company is doing an engineering review of the site. Depending on the findings, it may repair or replace the segment.

Robert Weil, San Carlos’ public works director, said it was the first he had heard of a potentially problematic pipe.

Gas leaks and smells can be reported to PG&E at (800) 743-5000. A special hotline to learn more about gas transmission lines has been set up at (888) 743-7431.

1. 

   gesc says:

   April 29, 2011 at 8:08 am

   Additional info on the lack of proper inspections:
   http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/28/MN281J8K58.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
2. 

   Sam Herzberg says:

   November 17, 2010 at 9:04 am

   Community Meeting with PG&E on Gas Main Safety

   Tuesday, November 23

   San Carlos Library, 610 Elm St.

   6:30 pm Open House w/ map of gas main locations

   7 pm Presentation by PG&E representatives

   Hear info on gas transmission main safety and safety tips for customers, as well as an update on activities since the San Bruno explosion to enhance safety, future safety measures, and what customers can do.
3. 

   Gina says:

   October 1, 2010 at 11:24 pm

   How unsettling to find that there is a problem with a natural gas line here in San Carlos. I would like to find out more about this and hope there will be an informational meeting for San Carlos residents regarding this disturbing issue soon.
4. 

   gesc says:

   September 25, 2010 at 5:49 pm

   Dear GESC residents,

   We just emailed city council and staff the following letter. Jeff Maltbie the Interim City Manager responded immediately and we will keep you informed as we get more information on the subject.

   9/24/10

   San Carlos City Council
   San Carlos City Manager and Staff
   City Hall
   600 Elm Street
   San Carlos, CA 94070

   Dear City Council and City Manager:

   As a result of recent news articles, we have recently become aware of PG&E’s disclosure that the 46th most hazardous site with gas line problems in California is located in San Carlos near our neighborhood. According to what we have read, the problems with the gas pipeline located at Old County Road and Brittan are associated with factors such as age, welding or fitting type, and the material it is made of. These recent disclosures are coming out now as a result of the San Bruno fire, and we are deeply alarmed that work done as little as fifteen years ago could be among the 50 highest hazardous sites along PG&E natural gas pipelines.

   Former City Manager Mike Garvey, now working for SamTrans as the Peninsula liaison regarding High Speed Rail, attended our neighborhood meeting last year, where he discussed the history of the berm in the context of High Speed Rail and the proposed Transit Village. At the meeting he profusely apologized for the historical lack of outreach to our neighborhood and the lack of our knowledge about the details of construction of the berm. This most recent disclosure regarding the hazards with this gas pipeline and the potential implications to San Carlos and our east side neighborhood greatly concerns us. It is very disturbing that something done as little as 15 years ago, without communication to city residents, is now considered such a high risk. We understand from recent news articles that the City Council is currently “peppering PG&E with questions about the problems and what the utility plans to do about them”.

   Our understanding is that either this gas line runs on the east side of the berm or under Old County Road. We would like confirmation on the exact location of the pipeline and whether it runs north/south along the berm, under Old County, the railroad right-of way, or El Camino Real.

   We are also very concerned about the safety of this pipeline for residences in San Carlos especially along Old County Road and rail passengers (if the pipeline runs underneath the berm). We have specific concerns regarding this pipeline in connection to the proposed Old County Road improvements, the proposed Transit Village development, High Speed Rail and potential safety implications with any new construction.

   We would appreciate if Public Works Director Robert Weil and PG&E could provide:

   · A detailed update on the problem

   · A timeline for its repair

   · A report on the overall safety of the pipeline

   · A report on the location of the pipeline(s) in San Carlos

   · A report on potential utility improvements that may be required along this corridor

   · Details about how natural gas and electrical lines are being monitored

   · A presentation to the GESC Neighborhood regarding the above points

   As a neighborhood association, we want to inform our neighborhood residents who are very concerned about these recent public disclosures and would welcome a presentation from city staff and PG&E officials at a future GESC community meeting.

   We are enclosing copies of this letter in PDF and Word format for your convenience. We look forward to a detailed response to these questions.

   Sincerely,

   Ben Fuller
   President GESC

   Sam Herzberg
   GESC Board Member

   Dimitri Vandellos
   GESC Webmaster and Communications Director
5. 

   gesc says:

   September 24, 2010 at 7:00 pm

   Tom,

   I don’t know which direction the pipeline runs. Can anyone from city staff answer that question?

   Thanks,

   Dimitri
6. 

   Tom says:

   September 23, 2010 at 8:04 pm

   Thanks for this info.

   This makes me really concerned about any development along the rail corridor especially since the pipeline in question is only 15 years old. Does this Natural gas pipeline extend north and south along the railroad corridor or east and west along Holly street?