Gas Company hit With $2.25 Million Fine Over Pipeline Safety

A state regulator has imposed Southern California Gas Co. with a fine of $ 2.25 million for failing to keep the equipment in its network of natural gas pipelines in two sections of Los Angeles.

Inspectors Security Division and the implementation of the Public Utilities Commission of California found that So Cal Gas has not managed to resolve 125 "packages cathodic protection" - devices that a small electric current is applied to drive to prevent corrosion - from 2011 and 2015.

The company was fined because 45 devices were out of service for more than two years, according to the report.

"Violations present unacceptable security of corrective actions before operations risk," said the PUC in its citation.

The program of the event was held in late 2011, about 16 months after a devastating explosion of a gas pipeline and Pacific Electric in San Bruno in September 2010. Eight people were killed and about 60 wounded.

So Cal Gas pipes are under the faulty devices and districts Corridor Puerto Mid City of Los Angeles, according to the report.

The violations were self-reported by the gas company, said the subpoena.

The company has until May 23 to fix the devices or submit a compliance plan. You can also appeal the fine, which was announced on Monday.

"So Cal Gas took responsibility ... to solve the problem by actively implement all corrective action system," said spokesman Chris Gil bride in an email. "While we are still evaluating the quote, we will continue to work diligently to meet all necessary corrective measures."

The Company Monitors 20,000 Systems Corrosion Protection, He Said.

Forty of the 45 cited by the PUC were fixed and working Gilbride said, and the other five should be fixed in the coming months.

agency spokesman Christopher Chow said the appointment is not associated with the massive natural gas leak on the premises mass storage company Aliso Canyon above Porter Ranch. The leak was discovered in late October and took 119 days to stop.

The leaking well was finally died on February 18

The company pays relocation expenses for thousands of residents Porter since late last year but could soon. He said the PUC is good "about the amount the company pays on a daily basis to relocate families".

Gilbride said officials SoCalGas and Los Angeles County have signed a statement requesting that the judge of the Superior Court to dissolve the relocation order 17 session on Friday. A hearing on the issue is scheduled for the same day.

There is no agreement on the return of local online, however.

The company wants residents relocated to return home at the end of this weekend. The region offers interior cleaning program for displaced residents currently pay for SoCalGas and the deadline back to the house five days after cleaning.

He also said that data from health services "clearly indicate" none of the 250 substances tested agency for homes, including metals such as barium, were detected at any level of health concern.

But Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, Porter Ranch resident and critic of the company, expressed outrage Tuesday at the position of SoCalGas.

The company challenged a directive from the Ministry of Health, he said.

"SoCalGas attempts to pass through Los Angeles consumers in the region of the cost of the gas leak, which resulted from its own negligence," Sherman said in an email. "Realizing they may have to bear the cost themselves, SoCalGas has decided to shortchange residents evacuated. They decided they did not want to pay for cleaning protocol that ... the Department of Health says it takes to make homes of security ".