The California Public Utilities Commission may penalize PG&E for the role its faulty records played in the Sept. 9 gas pipeline explosion that killed eight and destroyed 37 homes.
"We are out of reactive mode and moving proactively," said CPUC Commissioner Mike Florio in a press conference Thursday.
Florio said research performed by the National Transportation Safety Board reveal the utility company's records "maybe have been inadequate to make safety decision."
The agency is only taking action regarding record-keeping because evidence about its flaws is solid enough to justify moving ahead. The agency will focus on whether PG&E's record-keeping violated any rules or laws.
"This is not to suggest this is all there is going to be," he said.
"We all want to make certain the public feels safe," Florio said. "The commission is willig to work with all federal and state agencies to see that this never happens again."
The NTSB reports show evidence of faulty welds on Line 132, which ruptured near Earl Avenue and Glenview Drive. PG&E's records indicated the pipeline was "seamless" and not made of welded parts.
The public will have an opportunity to comment in three hearings, one from 5 to 10 p.m. April 5 at the San Bruno Senior Center; one in Los Angeles, and one elsewhere in Northern California.
