Gas Safety Task Force
On Monday, March 11, City Council will discuss the proposal for a Gas Safety Task Force and may address general community concerns for PG&E gas safety. See the City Council meeting agenda and staff report for "Proposed PG&E Gas Pipeline Safety Task Force." Save Lafayette Trees proposed formation of a citizen task force, and City staff recommends City Council deny approval.
Call to action
Please write or attend the March 11 City Council meeting 7pm in the Lafayette Library's Community Hall. Comments can be made during the Gas Safety Task Force discussion. If you would like to send written comment, email cityhall@lovelafayette.org. Written comment must be received by Monday noon to be distributed to City Council for that day's meeting.
Our message to City Council: "The City needs to take a leadership role and also support resident pursuit of improved gas pipeline safety. Residents need to know Council is doing everything they can to prevent a gas related incident in our community. Either approve the Task Force, or explain how the City will answer to resident concerns for safe PG&E gas pipeline operation in Lafayette."
Purpose of the Gas Safety Task Force
A task force would review and research community gas safety concerns such as reduced dig-ins, verified integrity testing, automated shut-off valves, vintage pipeline replacements, etc. The task force would provide progress updates, communicate concerns, and make recommendations to City Council as well as participate at "alliance" meetings with other safety stakeholders, including PG&E, and the CPUC.
Whether or not the City approves the Gas Safety Task Force and/or SLT participation in the task force, we urge City Council to take responsibility for pursuing optimal gas pipeline safety -- including getting to zero incidents via preventative measures. Zero incidents means no injuries, no dig-ins, no explosions, no leaks, no fires related to PG&E gas pipeline operation in Lafayette.
Holding PG&E and CPUC accountable to optimal safety measures is not regulatory action. It is information gathering, engagement, and advocacy for public safety and provides necessary balance for the "three legged stool" of gas safety as recognized in the pipeline industry (the three legs: utility, regulator and local municipality).
Second Court of Appeal victory
In early February this year, the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco again sided with Save Lafayette Trees in an unanimous decision regarding our CEQA claim. This second decision by the court further strengthens our case, and although PG&E has filed an automatic stay on litigation due to their bankruptcy, we are more likely to prevail than ever before. Thank you for everyone's donations who help make this legal defense possible.
How to help
- Send letters and comments to our City Council (cityhall@lovelafayette.org).
- Come speak at the March 11th City Council meeting.
- Donate -- any amount is appreciated to help fund our legal efforts.
- Share this newsletter with friends and neighbors.
Latest media coverage
"East Bay group pushing for PG&E gas safety task force"
- East Bay Times, March 16, 2019
"Letter: Cities Must Fully Back Local PG&E Safety Advocates"
- San Jose Mercury News, March 3, 2019
"Council to Keep Talking Gas Safety, plans second meeting with PG&E, community, and PG&E"
- Lamorinda Weekly, March 6, 2019
Thank you for all you do to support this work!
Save Lafayette Trees
(Image below: the Lafayette-Moraga Trail near Glenside Dr. with a new pipeline marker sign and smaller cathodic protection coupon station. Both sign and station were implemented after the safety audit requested by Save Lafayette Trees last fall, and are important elements to a safe pipeline as mandated by the CPUC. Note the tree in the picture is one of the trees targeted for removal.)
