PG&E Temporarily Shuts Down Gas Pipeline Out of 'Abundance of Caution'

By Bay City News Service

PG&E confirmed today that it was shutting down a natural gas pipeline in San Carlos that city officials believe could be unsafe, a utility spokesman said this afternoon.

Crews were initiating a "proper, safe and effective" shutdown of Line 147 in response to a court order from a San Mateo County Superior Court judge and concerns from San Carlos city officials and residents, PG&E spokesman Greg Snapper said.

The court order was issued Friday after an alleged set of internal PG&E emails was sent to San Carlos officials on Thursday, casting doubt on the condition of the 84-year-old line that runs 3.8 miles beneath Brittan Avenue.

PG&E officials this weekend said that Line 147 would be shut down "out of an abundance of caution," but assured that the pipeline would not have been in operation if it was thought to be unsafe.

"Pipeline 147 is safely operating in San Carlos," Snapper said.

PG&E crews today were gradually dropping pressure in the pipeline after evaluating the effects that a complete shutdown would have on connecting gas lines and regional customers, Snapper said.

"There are not going to be any gas impacts to our customers," he said.

Shutdown work was expected to be completed on Monday, when PG&E would continue talking to the city to decide what comes next, he said.

Officials from San Carlos were not immediately available to comment today.