September 2009 Bill Inserts

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Each month, PG&E offers important information on rebates, saving energy and safety in printed inserts that accompany your bill. Now, access this information online whenever you wish.

• Simple safety measures to ensure reliable gas service
  Pipelines offer the safest and most reliable way to transport natural gas to your home, your workplace and your community.
  
  PG&E is committed to the safe operation of its pipelines. As a part of our commitment, we routinely patrol and monitor our pipelines and also conduct internal and external inspections. You can help. For important safety tips, see reverse side of this insert or visit www.pge.com/safety
  
  Recognize transmission pipeline markers
  Transmission pipelines transport high volumes of natural gas. Markers are used to show their approximate location, but do not indicate the depth of the pipeline. Not all pipelines follow a straight path between two markers. The name and contact information of the pipeline operator are indicated on the marker. To view a list of pipeline operators in your area, visit www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov
  
  Call before you dig
  The single greatest cause of pipeline accidents is damage from excavation and outside forces.
  
  If you plan on doing any digging, augering or moving the earth in any way, such as planting a tree, installing a fence or repairing or installing irrigation lines, please call Underground Service Alert (USA) by dialing 811 at least two working days before you begin. This free service will notify underground utilities in the area of your planned work. PG&E will locate and mark our underground gas and electric facilities.
  
  The warning signs of a gas leak could be a rotten-egg smell, dirt spraying in the air, a hissing sound, continual bubbling in a pond or creek or plants that seem to be dying for no reason.
  
  If you suspect a gas leak:
  

  • Leave the area immediately and move to a safe location. Dial 911 and call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
  • Warn others to stay away.
  • Do not attempt to extinguish a natural gas fire or stop the flowing gas.
  • Do not try to operate pipeline valves.
  • Unless you are a safe distance away from the suspected leak, do not light a match, start an engine, use a home or cell phone or operate electric devices such as switches, door bells, radios, televisions, lights, appliances and garage openers.
• Plant the right tree
  
  Your safety is PG&E's top priority. Planting trees under power lines can pose electrical shock hazards and fire safety risks. Stay safe, keep the lights on and improve landscape appearance by selecting a tree with the proper height at maturity for its location.
  
  To request "A Guide to Planting Small Trees near Distribution Lines," email RightTreeRightPlace@pge.com or call 1-800-743-5000. (Specify if you live in the Bay Area, Northern or Central California).
  
  Tree Planting Guidelines
  When landscaping or selecting shrubs and trees, be sure to consider overhead power lines and underground utilities in addition to fire hazard, sun exposure and soil conditions. For more information about trees and power lines, visit www.pge.com/trees or call 1-800-743-5000.
• We can do this™ by watching the footprint we leave behind.
  Visit wecandothis.com to see what you can do.
• For your safety… Inspection and Maintenance of Customer-Owned, Buried Natural Gas Piping
  If you are a Pacific Gas and Electric Company natural gas customer, you should be aware of this important gas safety information.
  
  Pacific Gas and Electric Company is committed to providing safe, reliable natural gas service. We maintain all our gas lines in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation and California Public Utilities Commission pipeline safety regulations.
  
  As a natural gas pipeline operator, Pacific Gas and Electric Company is required by federal law to notify all customers of the following:
  
  

  • Customer-owned, buried natural gas piping should be inspected periodically for leaks and, if the piping is metallic, also for corrosion. Examples of this piping are any buried piping from the gas service delivery location to your house or appliances, or from the house to a swimming pool heater or spa. See diagram below.
    
  • If any gas leaks or evidence of corrosion to metallic piping are found, you should take immediate steps to correct the problem.
  • When digging near buried gas piping, locate the piping in advance, and dig by hand.

  
  Contact a certified plumbing contractor in your area to help you locate and inspect your buried gas piping. Call 811 to locate underground utility-owned facilities. If you have questions about this notice, call Pacific Gas and Electric Company at 1-800-PGE-5000.
  
  NOTE: In this notice "customer" refers to the owner of the gas piping system served by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. This may be either the property owner or another party that owns the gas piping.