Safety Board Issues Recommendations Based on Preliminary Results of Investigation into San Bruno Pipeline Accident; Hearings to Be Held in March; Pipeline Safety Office Relays the Message

摘要

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on 1/3/11 issued seven safety recommendations - six classified as "Urgent" - based on its investigation of the rupture and explosion of a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) pipeline that killed eight people and destroyed 37 homes in San Bruno, California, on 9/9/10. The five Members of the NTSB voted to hold a two-day, fact-finding, en banc hearing on March 1-2 at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. as part of its investigation. "This accident has exposed issues that merit further attention and have implications for the pipeline infrastructure throughout the country," stated NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman. "The hearing will gather additional factual information for the investigation, and will also provide the pipeline industry, state and federal regulators, and our citizens with an opportunity to hear more about this accident and important safety issues as the investigation progresses." The March 1-2 hearing, to be chaired by Hersman and webcast, is open to the public; no registration is required. The agenda, including a list of witnesses, will be released several weeks in advance of the hearing.