On September 21st, PG&E released a list of that company’s top 100 sites in its gas pipeline system that are marked “for longer-term evaluation and planning” by its risk management program.

No segments of pipeline within Redwood City were identified by PG&E as being on that list. The segments nearest to Redwood City which are on that list are in San Carlos, at Brittan Avenue and El Camino Real, and in Menlo Park near Donahoe Street and 101.

The full list and other information is available on PG&E’s web site: www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/response/pipelinemaintenance

PG&E has also set up a hotline that customers can call to determine if their homes are within 500 feet of a pipeline, or within 500 feet of one of the sections that is on the utility’s top 100 list. That hotline number is (888) 743-7431.

According to its website, the risk of a pipeline segment is determined by PG&E by using the following criteria:

•  The potential for third party damage such as dig-ins from construction;
•  The potential for corrosion;
•  The potential for ground movement;
•  The physical design and characteristics of the pipe segment.

 It’s our understanding that PG&E has been ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission to inspect its entire natural gas transmission system. We do not have information on when such inspections will take place in Redwood City. Typically, if PG&E needs to do any work in the public right-of-way in Redwood City, they must obtain a permit from the City, and that is when we would be notified of any impending work, including inspections. We’ll do our best to keep you informed if we get additional information.

Thank you,

— Malcolm Smith

— Public Communications Manager, City of Redwood City, California