Three natural gas pipelines in Stanislaus County have been included on Pacific Gas and Electric’s list of “Top 100” riskiest segments in the state, however, PG&E officials stress the designations are not a safety concern.
The three areas identified by PG&E are segments of a pipeline between Turlock and Patterson and two segments in north Modesto.
In ranking the pipelines, PG&E evaluated four potential factors: Third party damage, corrosion, ground movement, and the physical design and characteristics of the pipe segment. They also take into consideration the population density, the reliability impacts and if the pipeline is in an environmentally sensitive area.
The segment between Turlock and Patterson was listed because of its potential for corrosion, according to PG&E officials. Because of the potential for corrosion, PG&E has initiated an engineering review of the 3,310 feet of pipe between Highway 33 in Patterson and Highway 99 in Turlock.
Three areas around the pipeline have been dug up to allow for a physical inspection. PG&E officials said during a presentation to the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that there was no evidence of corrosion. The segments will continue to be monitored, but at this time no further actions are planned for the pipeline.
In north Modesto PG&E identified two pipeline segments that warranted review because of the overall condition of the pipes. The first segment consists of 6,709 feet of pipe along Dale Road between Standiford and Bangs avenues. The second segment is two feet of pipe near Dale and Bangs. PG&EW said they have initiated engineering reviews of both segments, but have not yet determined if any repair or replacement action is needed.
PG&E released its “Top 100” list Monday because of an increasing public demand for more information about the location of natural gas pipelines in the aftermath of the deadly San Bruno explosion.
PG&E has also made the list available online. PG&E ‘My Account’ customers can obtain personalized gas transmission pipeline information through a secure login available online at www.pge.com. Customers can see whether any of PG&E's gas transmission lines are in close proximity to their home, and if so, where those lines are located. Maps include gas transmission pipeline segments that have been identified for engineering analysis and future work as part of PG&E’s ongoing preventive maintenance process. A link to this login for PG&E ‘My Account’ customers has also been placed on PG&E's pipeline information page at: www.pge.com/pipelineplanning. Customers without Internet access or who would like live support from a PG&E customer service representative should call (888) 743-7431.To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
