Pipeline Safety

The CPUC ensures that intra-state natural gas and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) pipeline systems are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained according to safety standards set by the CPUC and the federal government. CPUC gas safety engineers are trained and qualified by the federal government. The CPUC enforces natural gas and LPG safety regulations; inspects construction, operation, and maintenance activities; and makes necessary amendments to regulations to protect and promote the safety of the public, the utility employees that work on the gas pipeline systems, and the environment.

The CPUC endorses the system safety approach embodied in the federal government’s regulation of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. State and federal regulators are tasked with ensuring that pipeline and hazardous materials operators have risk management programs in place, that those programs are designed in conformance with state and federal laws and regulations, that the programs are effective in enhancing public safety, the operator’s employees safety, environmental safety, and that the safety of the entire system and operation continues to improve.

The CPUC conducts operation and maintenance compliance inspections, accident investigations, reviews utilities’ reports and records, conducts construction inspections, conducts special studies, and takes action in response to complaints and inquiries from the public on issues regarding gas pipeline safety.

The CPUC also conducts audits and inspections of gas facilities owned and operated by mobile home parks, and conducts inspections of propane gas pipeline distributions systems.

Intra-state hazardous liquid pipelines are regulated by the Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM). Interstate pipelines are regulated by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

CPUC Regulations - Waivers

PG&E Golden Eagle Waiver

Resolution M-4844

Appendix and Attachments

Department of Transportation Waiver

PHMSA's Stay of Enforcement/Notice of Discretion

The following are PHMSA's Stay of Enforcement and Notice of Discretion.

Please contact the Gas Safety and Reliability Branch for more information.

Stay of Enforcement

Notice of Discretion

Gas Utilities

The CPUC oversees the operation and safety of the five major investor-owned utilities who serve natural gas and LPG to the bulk of California residents and businesses: Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Southwest Gas Corporation, and Southern California Edison (Avalon LPG).

The CPUC is taking numerous steps to ensure public safety in the immediate and longer-term. The CPUC regularly performs field and headquarter inspections and audits of practices and procedures developed by these gas utilities. The utilities also perform audits and report to the CPUC on an ongoing basis their practices, procedures, and progress on a variety of issues.

• 2019 CA State Hosted PHMSA Training and Qualification Seminar for Gas Operators
  • When: Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Where: CPUC Auditorium, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102
  • Agenda
  • Registration
  • Presentation Videos
    • Introduction
    • Updates and Regulatory Compliance
    • MHP Upgrade Program Updates
    • Subpart P: DIMP
    • Subpart N: Operator Qualifications
    • Q&M Plan and Records
    • Patrols and Leak Surveys
    • Plastic Pipe Final Rule Update  
• Natural Gas Safety Action Plan
• Emergency Reporting
• Current Proceedings
  • News
• 2016 CA State Hosted PHMSA T&Q Seminar Presentations (Large Operators)
• Gas Distribution and Transmission System Annual Reports
• Audit and Inspection Reports
• Pipeline Documents

Pipeline Rules and Regulations

• Title 49 CFR Part 191 - Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline, Annual Reports, Incident Reports, and Safety-Related Condition Reports
• Title 49 CFR Part 192 - Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards
• Title 49 CFR Part 193 - Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities: Federal Safety Standards
• General Order No. 58-A - Standards for Gas Service in the State of California
• General Order No. 58-B - Heating Value Measurement Standard for Gaseous Fuels
• General Order No. 112-F - State of California Rules Governing Design, Construction, Testing, Operation, and Maintenance of Gas Gathering, Transmission, and Distribution Piping Systems
• California Public Utilities Code - Division 1. Regulation of Public Utilities [201-3260]
• Government Code Title 1. General > Division 5. Public Work and Public Purchases  > Chapter 3.1 Protection of Underground Infrastructure > ARTICLE 2. Regional Notification Center System [4216 -4216.24]

Pipeline Siting and Routing

Investor-owned utilities are required to obtain a permit from the CPUC for construction of certain specified infrastructure listed under Public Utilities Code sections 1001. The following are resources for permit applicants and public parties interested in participating in the CPUC's environmental review:

• Current Projects (Under Environmental Review or In Construction)
• Past Projects (Constructed, Denied, Withdrawn) 
• CPUC Decision and Review Process
• CPUC Rules of Practice and Procedure (Rule 2.4 CEQA Compliance)
• Public Utilities Code Section 1001 et seq. (Basis for granting CPCN)
• CEQA Statute and Guidelines (California Natural Resources Agency website)
• Guidelines for Energy Project Applications Requiring CEQA Compliance: Pre-filing and Proponent's Environmental Assessments (contains 2019 PEA Checklist) Word | PDF
• General Guidance for Filing a CPCN/PTC application with the CPUC Docket Office

Enforcement Information

• Citations Issued to Gas Operators
• Notice of Probable Violations (NOPVs)

Mobile Home Parks

2019 State Hosted PHMSA Training and Qualification Seminar for Gas Operators (Master Meter - LPG)

• When: Tuesday, April 16, 2019, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Where: CPUC Auditorium, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102
• Agenda
• Registration

The CPUC regulates master-metered propane and natural gas distribution systems in mobile home parks.

• 2016 CA State Hosted PHMSA T&Q Seminar Presentations (Small Operators)

The CPUC is currently conducting a three-year (2015-2017) Mobile Home Park Utility Upgrade Pilot Program to convert master-metered gas and/or electric facilities to direct utility service. For more details on the program, please click on the following link:

• Mobile Home Park Utility Upgrade Pilot Program

For details on Rulemaking Proceeding 11-02-018 (R.11-02-018), which culminated in CPUC Decision 14-03-021 (D.14-03-021) implementing the three-year Mobile Home Park Utility Upgrade Pilot Program, please click on the following link:

• Rulemaking Proceeding 11-02-018 (R.11-02-018)

One-Call System

The CPUC urges consumers and contractors to call 8-1-1 to have gas pipeline utilities locate and mark the gas pipeline facilities before beginning any work that involves excavation or digging in the ground.

• More info at Call811.com

PHMSA-Pipeline Safety Community

• More info at pmhsa.dot.gov/pipeline

NAPSR-National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives

• More info at napsr.org

Other Information

• December 27, 2018: Safety and Enforcement Division Investigative Report (Public Version) Into the Operations and Practices of PG&E’s Damage Prevention and Locate & Mark Programs
  • Read the report
  • View attachments
• Aliso Canyon Well Failure
• San Bruno Pipeline Explosion
• Jan. 2016: Staff Incident Investigation Report on PG&E Fresno Pipeline incident on April 17, 2015
• March 12, 2015: CPUC Enlists third-party experts to help set new safety path for pipeline regulation
  • View the presentation given by Crowe Horwath
  • Read the report  
  • Read the press release