Business & Tech

Could San Bruno Happen Here?

Pipelines are said to go through San Rafael.

Last Thursday,  with more possible victims still being identified. Many of the San Bruno residents never even knew a PG&E 30-inch-diameter natural gas transmission line ran under their homes until this devastating accident.

Do we have similar lines running through San Rafael? Could an explosion and fire happen here?

According to maps from the National Pipeline Mapping System gas transmission lines run down Highway 101 in Marin, coming in off the freeway to run through downtown San Rafael. The gas lines comes along Forbes Avenue in San Rafael, before heading down Second Street.

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The National Pipeline Mapping System was taken off-line following Sept. 11, 2001, but made available again in 2006.

PG&E, however, will neither confirm nor deny the location of gas lines, because of safety and security concerns.

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"Many of them where there before communities; It's not unusual for homes to be built in an area after a pipeline was installed," said PG&E spokesperson Katie Romans.

PG&E does have 51 miles of gas transmission lines in Marin, said Romans. The largest of those pipes is only 20 inches in diameter, compared to the larger pipes in San Bruno, she said.

However, there is concern that in some areas where new gas lines have not been put in the pressure within the existing lines has been increased in order to meet demand. 

"To get gas where it needs to go, you can either add a new line or crank up the pressure. What companies have been doing nationwide is cranking up the pressure, buying new pumps to provide that additional pressure and off we go," said Bob Rackleff, board president of the Pipeline Safety Trust.

Exact information about the age and pressurization of pipes in Marin isn't currently available, said Romans.

PG&E also referenced a list of the highest-risk 100 segments of its pipe in its filings to the California Public Utility Commission last year. However, the commission says it does not have the full list and PG&E has said it will not be releasing the full list.

Even if a similar natural gas explosion isn't likely in San Rafael, the likelihood of a large fire or disaster remains high given the area .

Residents should be prepared for emergencies with basic emergency skills, an evacuation plan for their home, and a meet-up point for their family in a disaster situation. Residents should also have basic supplies – such as water, some food, and basic aid -- for a situation in which emergency responders aren't able to respond immediately. And residents are advised to know where and how to turn off their gas should there be a leak. Even if you don't live near the large transmission gas lines, virtually every house has smaller distribution gas lines. If you smell gas, you should leave the premises and call the police and report it to PG&E.


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