November 2019  ~  Now that the smoke has cleared and the lights are on, we thought it would be a good time to send a fall update. Read below to find out more about the status of the trees, PG&E, and gas pipeline safety concerns in Lafayette.

Briones Park Trees

Earlier this summer, PG&E and East Bay Regional Park cut down 245 trees as part of the $255,000 payment PG&E made to EBRPD under their own "Community Pipeline Safety Initiative" agreement (ie, cutting trees above near the pipeline). This development is disappointing. We've captured the remnants of some larger trees in our "Gallery of Shame". And as a response, we sent a letter to Robert Doyle, General Manager of EBRPD: letter here. Please note: these trees were not removed as part of the state-mandated fire break, and PG&E did not present evidence that these trees posed a safety hazard. Thankfully, 272 trees remain untouched in Lafayette. Shame on EBRPD and PG&E for not attending to greater safety concerns. Speaking of which...

Exposed Pipelines

For years we've believed PG&E had bigger safety concerns in Lafayette than the ones they brought with the CPSI project. Sure enough, and thanks to the eagle-eyes of several Lafayette residents, we brought FOUR exposed pipeline segments to PG&E's attention in early September. A quick recap:
 

• See images of the exposed pipelines & our concerns in this photo gallery.
• One resident shared PG&E emails from 2015: see this news story.
• PG&E commissioned a detailed third-party engineering report which does not fully address the safety concerns of the pipeline. See the PG&E-sponsored report and our response which highlights lack of weld information and wildfire considerations.
• PG&E has left trees overhanging the pipeline, even during severe windstorms, but promises they will remove them by 2020. We advocated for this action in September.
• PG&E isn't addressing severe wildfire risks, coating flammability, soil erosion, and inaccessibility to manual shut-off valves. Unless PG&E can demonstrate pipeline integrity from these risks, they should bury the exposed pipelines.

Gas Safety Task Force

In March of this year, we proposed to City Council the concept of a Gas Safety Task Force which could help improve gas safety in Lafayette and continue the work started by Save Lafayette Trees. This group of six experienced professionals was formed and has been active throughout 2019 meeting both independently and with the CPUC, City and PG&E, collectively known as the "Gas Safety Alliance". The notes and presentations of these public meetings are available online here. 

Regulator Station at Andreasen Drive

The Andreasen Drive HOA, a 16-member association, asked us to become involved with the expansion of the gas regulator station at 3244 Andreason Dr. -- the gray house visible at the corner of Olympic Dr and Reliez Station Rd. This regulator station may provide automated shut off valves, manual valves, and in-line inspection ("smart pig") entry site for for Line 191-1 serving Walnut Creek.

At the time of writing, PG&E has removed four trees to create a new entrance off Olympic Drive and have agreed to stop any future removals for two weeks to reach an agreement with Lafayette residents. Our goal is to preserve or replant as many trees as possible while maintaining a natural look to the perimeter of the facility and to understand the construction and traffic/safety impacts to our city. The City Council will hear a presentation by PG&E on this project on Nov 12th, Tuesday @ 7pm. Please attend!

Lawsuit Stay of Litigation

There is no change to our existing lawsuits against the City of Lafayette and EBRPD. While PG&E remains in bankruptcy, there is a stay of litigation in the Superior Court of California. We won our last appearance in the California Courts of Appeal. 

City Council Meetings

At the invitation of Mayor Anderson, the members of the Lafayette Gas Safety Task Force will present at the Nov 26th City Council meeting. Please join us to learn more about our activities over the past year and important gas safety findings. Also, please join the Nov 12th City Council meeting to learn more about the Andreasen Drive gas regulator project currently under construction by PG&E.

Other News

• We created this wildfire map that shows Lafayette's unique mixture of Tier 2 and Tier 3 high risk zones and five gas transmission lines across the city. 
• We joined the California Oaks Coalition, a statewide network to address issues in counties where oaks play a critical wildlife habitat role. FYI - 80% of the endangered trees in Lafayette are large heritage oaks.
• Gina Dawson will again represent Lafayette at the annual Pipeline Safety Trust conference in New Orleans.
• In October, we submitted a formal motion to the CPUC to be party to the PG&E Safety Culture Proceeding. 

How to help

• Send letters and comments to our City Council (cityhall@lovelafayette.org).
• Come speak at the Nov 12 and Nov 26 City Council meeting.
• Share this newsletter with friends and neighbors.
• Donate -- any amount is appreciated to help fund our legal efforts.

Latest media coverage 

"PG&E said in 2015 it would rebury exposed East Bay gas line, but still hasn’t done it"

- East Bay Times, October 1, 2019
 

"PG&E Insists Above-Ground Gas Pipeline In Briones Regional Park Is Safe"

- KPIX News, October 2, 2019
 

"Third-party engineering consultants to provide analysis of pipeline in Briones; history of prior concerns come to light"

- Lamorinda Weekly, October 2, 2019

More news...

Finally, thank you for all you do to support this work!

Save Lafayette Trees

(Image below: the problem with PG&E safety priorities in one photo. In the foreground: a small tree cut in the summer of 2019 by PG&E as part of the Community Pipeline Safety Initiative. In the background: approximately 20 feet away lies an exposed pipeline with damaged coating, 47' exposed in high wildfire area, with large oak trees leaning over the expanse. The small tree posed no danger to the pipeline and in fact is vigorously growing back. PG&E still hasn't cut the dangerous trees leaning over this or other pipelines in Briones Park. PG&E is not prioritizing safety projects.)