Thousands receive SDG&E gas pipeline safety mailings
By Steve Dreyer
San Diego Gas & Electric this month mailed letters and safety brochures to about 3,200 area customers who live close to major gas pipelines.
While a gas line notice has been inserted into utility bills twice a year since 2007, this marks the first time that a letter, along with a new brochure, have been sent by mail. Customers within 660 feet of any line were sent a notice, according to SDG&E spokeswoman Amber Albrecht.
The 3,200 mailings were in the 92064, 92127 and 92128 ZIP codes. Countywide, the utility mailed about 65,000 letters.
A map available on the SDG&E web site shows a web of gas lines throughout Rancho Bernardo, Poway, 4S Ranch, Sabre Springs and Rancho Penasquitos. Included are lines running parallel to Interstate 15 plus lines along portions of Pomerado Road, Espola Road, Camino del Norte, Twin Peaks Road, Bernardo Heights, Sabre Spring Parkway and Black Mountain Road. The map can be found at www.sdge.com/safety/gas-safety/natural-gas-safety-map.
“These pipelines are large and operate at high pressure to transport natural gas from long distances into populated areas,” the letter says.
According to Albrecht, “SDG&E developed additional steps to respond to customer concerns that have arisen following the natural gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno, including the development of the safety brochure that accompanied the recent letter. Public awareness of natural gas safety is crucial and we regularly evaluate communicate with our customers.”
On Sept. 9, 2010 a 30-inch steel gas pipeline in San Bruno ruptured. The resulting blast and fire leveled 35 homes and killed eight people. A subsequent investigation found defective welds in that section of the pipe which was installed in 1956.
The letter to property owners lists a number of things SDG&E does to ensure gas pipeline safety, including maintenance, employee training and routine pipeline inspections and testing.
The safety brochure explains how to locate major pipelines near the customer and advises anyone planning to dig into the ground to call 811 at least two days before starting work.
It also offers tips on how to recognize a leak and procedures to take if a line is damaged.
