PG&E To Pressure Test Gas Pipelines in Three Peninsula Cities

PG&E is holding two community meetings in San Mateo County this week to discuss the utility's upcoming pressure tests on gas pipelines in Burlingame, San Mateo and Hillsborough.

The company began performing water pressure, or "hydrostatic," tests on more than 150 miles of its natural gas transmission system in May, partly in response to the Sept. 9 explosion in San Bruno, PG&E spokesman Joe Molica said.

The open house meetings will give PG&E officials a chance to explain to residents what they can expect while the tests are being conducted, spokeswoman Brittany Chord said.

Hydrostatic tests require a section of pipeline to be temporarily taken out of service, emptied of natural gas and filled with water, Chord said. Sometimes, residents can detect a gas smell during the process.

PG&E has notified residents living within 500 feet of the pipelines about the tests, Chord said.

The first community meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Crystal Springs Golf Course Clubhouse at 6650 Golf Course Drive in Burlingame.

Another meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Highlands Recreation Center at 1851 Lexington Ave. in San Mateo. 

The exact dates that PG&E crews will begin the tests have not been determined, Chord said.

--Bay City News