Pacific Gas & Electric is set to pay $3 million in fines for safety inadequacies of its natural gas transmission pipelines. The proposed California Public Utilities Commission decision, issued Feb. 22, finds the utility “appears” to have “failed to comply with commission” regulations for the maximum allowable operating pressure on the lines. PG&E agreed to have shareholders, not ratepayers, pay the fine. The utility estimates it is subject to $200 million in total fines and penalties, according to company executives Feb. 16.
