A family’s tragedy will change a company and save lives: requiring PG&E to change!
On April 15, 2011, James and Gabriela Greig filed an action against Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) following the tragic deaths of loving wife, Jacqueline Greig, and daughter, Janessa Greig, which occurred during the San Bruno pipeline explosion of Sept. 9, 2010.
The Greigs have now finalized the settlement of their claims with non-monetary terms first available for disclosure in October 2012. The monetary provisions of the settlement remain confidential, but PG&E agreed to meet plaintiffs’ monetary demands, as well as to allow for the non-monetary provisions in the Greig settlement.
In their negotiations, the Greigs and PG&E shared the common goal of improving pipeline safety assessment practices. To this end, PG&E agreed to incorporate an additional safety assessment practice into its integrity management company procedures for all segments of gas transmission lines within High Consequence Areas (HCA) areas, as follows:
- PG&E will verify through documented hydrostatic testing measurements, or if not available, will conduct hydrostatic testing for the purpose of assessing and measuring the fitness for continued use of each high consequence gas transmission line in California. This verification/testing is to be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2015, or as ordered by the CPUC.
- Fatigue life calculations will be used to predict the safe useful lifespan of the gas transmission lines so that lines can be replaced before they become a risk to the public.
- The provisions of this Fracture Control and Assessment Plan, as part of this settlement, are enforceable by the Greigs, at their option, and in their sole and exclusive discretion. PG&E has further agreed to keep the Greigs advised of the progress of its work and the Greigs have the option of auditing PG&E’s progress if they so choose.
“PG&E could not have been compelled by a jury verdict to include these additional assessment measures, so we are very pleased that they cooperated with our efforts to make these safeguards enforceable as part of our settlement. We appreciate PG&E’s willingness to take the high road with its promises here,” says attorney Steve Campora.
