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' PaC1f1C Gas and Media Relations Department ;NEWS- <br /> • <br /> 7 7 Beale Street <br /> cc <br /> Electric Compan San Francisco,_ CA 94105 10.27 <br /> ' a 415/973 -5930 - <br /> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> October 12, 2010 <br /> • <br /> CONTACT: PG &E Media Relations - (415) 973 -5930 • <br /> PG &E ANNOUNCES PIPELINE 2020 PROGRAM FOR ENHANCING • <br /> NATURAL GAS PIPELINE SAFETY AND R <br /> PG&E Aims to Advance Industry Best Practices <br /> SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG &E) today announced <br /> Pipeline 2020, a program with five areas of focus to strengthen the utility's natural gas <br /> transmission system through a combination of targeted investments, research and development, <br /> improved processes and procedures, and tighter coordination with public agencies. Going well <br /> beyond regulatory requirements, Pipeline 2020 will augment a series of safety and reliability <br /> initiatives that PG &E began or expanded in the wake of last month's San Bruno tragedy. <br /> "Pipeline 2020 will guide PG &E in fulfilling our pledge to customers and the public to <br /> ensure the safety and integrity of our gas transmission system," said Chris Johns, President, <br /> Pacific Gas and Electric Company. "PG &E will collaborate with state and federal regulators, <br /> industry and scientific experts, and local agencies to enhance our ongoing efforts to adopt <br /> industry best practices, invest in system upgrades and, where possible, advance the state of the <br /> art of gas pipeline inspection procedures and technology. Pipeline 2020 represents a substantial <br /> and long -term commitment of people and resources to restore confidence and trust in PG &E's <br /> gas transmission system." <br /> PG &E's Pipeline 2020 program will focus the company's efforts on five major areas: <br /> • Modernize Critical Pipeline Infrastructure— PG &E will consult with regulators and <br /> engage industry experts on a multiyear modernization initiative to upgrade key gas <br /> transmission pipeline segments located in heavily populated and other critical areas. The <br /> company will work with an independent third -party expert to review and assess PG &E's <br /> long -term roadmap, including criteria for prioritizing critical pipeline segments. Among <br /> the goals of the initiative will be to ensure that all upgraded lines can accommodate state - <br /> of -the -art inspections, including those using pigging technologies. <br /> • Expand the Use of Automatic or Remotely Operated Shut -Off Valves — PG &E also <br /> proposes to consult with regulators and industry experts about expanding the use of <br /> MORE <br />