In San Mateo County Superior Court this week, PG&E will state that it is liable for the fatal September 2010 gas pipeline rupture in San Bruno.
In response to a San Mateo County Superior Court judge’s request for PG&E’s official position, PG&E is saying that it is taking on financial responsibility to compensate all of the victims for the injuries they suffered as a result of the accident. The response comes ahead of a court hearing Friday to discuss various issues regarding the case.
“We are taking on financial responsibility so that everyone injured in the accident will be able to recover all of their damages from PG&E,” said PG&E President Chris Johns. “We are affirming our commitment to do the right thing in our response to this accident.”
Today’s announcement also makes clear that none of the plaintiffs or San Bruno residents or the city itself is at fault. “We would never consider holding the residents accountable for this accident,” Johns added. “Since the accident, PG&E has stood by the community of San Bruno, and we will bear the cost to make things right for the city and its people.”
Over the past 14 months, PG&E has been working with those impacted by the accident to resolve all claims fairly and promptly. The company remains committed to helping the city of San Bruno and the victims of the accident and their families recover and rebuild. It simultaneously has been working to improve the safety of its pipeline operations, by taking numerous steps including bringing in new leadership, pressure testing pipelines and reducing the pressure in other lines.
