Leak Rate for PG&E's 'High-Consequence' Gas Lines Exceeds U.S. Average

"The operator of a Bay Area gas pipeline that exploded in a lethal firestorm earlier this month has reported leaks on similar lines in populated areas at a rate more than six times that of other large pipeline systems across the country, according to a Times analysis.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has reported 38 leaks since 2004 along about 1,000 miles of line it controls near population centers or environmentally sensitive resources, federal records show.

The utility's leak rate was 6.2 annually per 1,000 miles of transmission pipes serving "high consequence" areas — more than six times the average leak rate for the nation's six other large operators."

Rich Connell, Doug Smith. and Marc Lifsher report for the Los Angeles Times September 27, 2010.