In an expedited move from PG&E, the city said today it received its $70 million in restitution from the utility that was agreed upon to support the city’s recovery efforts following the tragic 2010 pipeline explosion.
San Bruno and PG&E officials . At a press conference, Mayor Jim Ruane said the restitution couldn't replace all that was lost in the Crestmoor neighborhood when eight people died and 38 homes were destroyed in the fire. But the compensation was needed, he said, as the city now has been forced to repair all the infrastructure and everyday routines that were damaged by the accident.
“These funds will never bring back the lives that were taken, the memories that were destroyed and the city prior to 6:11 p.m. Sept. 9, 2010,” Ruane said in a statement. “We will never forget the tragedy, but we must move beyond the explosion as individuals and as a community."
Ruane added that the restitution from PG&E will be used for "a greater good for all the citizens of our city and to help us, as a community, move forward.”
The city is now in the process of setting up a nonprofit agency to handle the distribution of the settlement money, which will be spent for the benefit of the entire community. That process is expected to take up to a year.
In addition to the $70 million restitution, PG&E has already to support the emergency needs of the Crestmoor residents in the aftermath of the fire.
PG&E has also established a to help handle the repairs to the city infrastructure damaged by the explosion.
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