Gas safety

Our approach

We work to safely transport natural gas through almost 51,000 miles of natural gas pipelines. The system includes about 5,650 miles of transmission pipelines, approximately 45,200 miles of gas distribution pipelines, three gas storage facilities, and nine compressor stations, which receive and move both natural gas and renewable natural gas through our pipeline network. 

While we have made strides in key safety areas, we realize there is more to do to demonstrate our commitment and progress toward gas safety excellence. Our focus remains on maintaining and operating the system safely and reliably, with public and workforce safety as the single most important driver of our work.

2024 milestones

Gas transmission system

PG&E continues to invest in the safety and reliability of our gas transmission pipeline system. From 2011 to 2024, we achieved the following results:

• Validated safe operating pressure by strength-testing 1,620 miles of gas pipeline.
• Replaced 306 miles of gas transmission pipeline.
• Automated 414 valves, enabling automatic or remote-control shutoff of gas in an emergency.
• Retrofitted 3,283 miles of gas transmission lines to accommodate in-line inspection tools, or “smart pigs,” which are used to inspect the condition of pipelines using sophisticated technology. 

We also conduct surveys of our gas transmission system by air to prevent safety risks or unknown excavations occurring on or around our pipeline.

Gas distribution system

We continue to improve the safety and reliability of PG&E’s gas distribution system through enhancements to leak response and repair, the deployment of new tools and technologies, and our records and information management.

PG&E uses a diverse array of state-of-the-art tools to survey and inspect our gas infrastructure by air, land, and water. Crews use handheld devices; aircraft equipped with LiDAR technology; and leak-detecting vehicles, boats, drones, and all-terrain-vehicles to help identify leaks and make repairs when needed. Since 2014, PG&E’s advanced mobile leak detection technology has enabled us to quickly identify gas leaks and prioritize them for repair.

Other highlights from 2024 include:

• Fixing open minor non-hazardous workable leaks within 119 days on average, exceeding our performance target of 150 days.
• Responding to gas odor reports within 19.6 minutes on average.
• Replacing 1,655 total miles of gas distribution main since 2011.

Measuring progress

PG&E has measured our progress in enhancing the safety of our gas system since 2010 and remains committed to continuous improvement. 

Gas system safety

Gas transmission

Gas distribution

1. In 2014, all known remaining cast iron pipe was decommissioned.

Natural gas throughput

1. Includes gas used for the purpose of electric generation but excludes other intracompany transactions.