FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept 2, 2014
CONTACT: Rebecca Band, 510 326 0897
San Francisco — In reaction to today’s recommendation by two California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Administrative Law Judges to fine PG&E $1.4 billion dollars, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245, which represents thousands of frontline workers at PG&E, released the following statement:
“There is no question that PG&E should be held accountable for the San Bruno tragedy,” said Tom Dalzell, Business Manager of IBEW Local 1245. “But a fine of this magnitude creates unnecessary risk for frontline workers and California communities. No one should pretend that this fine will make the public safer — in fact, it would move $1 billion that could be used for safety improvements and puts it into the general fund. That makes the system less safe for our workers and your families.
“Since the San Bruno explosion, PG&E has moved aggressively on badly needed inspections and repairs to its gas infrastructure. We know this is the case because the members of our union are the ones who are putting on their gloves and hardhats every day working to make the gas system safer.
“PG&E has already invested nearly $3 billion in improving the safety of the gas lines and emergency response systems. But more work remains to be done. We agree that some financial penalty is appropriate, but the CPUC would be doing the public a disservice if it deprives PG&E of the funds needed to finish the job. The only thing that can truly make the system safer is hard work over a sustained period of time.
“We urge the CPUC to correct this proposal and mitigate the fine, so that PG&E’s hands are not tied as it continues to make crucial safety upgrades,” said Dalzell.
Major improvements made to date include:
- A new state-of-the-art gas operations command center from which the utility can control the entire system and respond more quickly and effectively to emergencies.
- New gas leak detection technology that is 1,000 times more sensitive than before.
- Improved training for 3,500 leaders at all levels of PG&E and for new employees.
IBEW Local 1245 represents more than 18,000 energy sector workers across California Nevada and the Pacific Northwest. For more information, visit www.IBEW1245.com.
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