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PG&E is providing customers a centralized, searchable map that shares gas-related emissions data collected over the last three years. The data is collected through the company's extensive surveying of its complete gas pipeline system. The data is tracked and measured against the goal to achieve a service-area-wide decline in year-over-year emissions from pipelines.
Emissions is the term used to describe the release of gas to atmosphere. Methane emissions quantities from PG&E's pipeline system are not harmful to human health but they can have impact on the environment, including global warming. That is why PG&E has taken an aggressive approach to reducing emissions on its system.
When gas emissions or leaks are found on the pipeline system, they are prioritized and graded following the national grading standard established by the American Gas Association. Factors including location, emissions, and size are considered as part of this process.
Emissions that pose a threat to safety are prioritized and immediately repaired. All subsequent leaks are prioritized and placed on a repair schedule. In addition to our annualized surveys, we also respond within 20 minutes to all calls from customers regarding suspected leaks.
The emissions data collected by PG&E is organized on the map by zip code and provides a three-year history of PG&E's service area. The ranking of cumulative emissions are color coded. Each spring as the annual data is analyzed, the map will be updated.
Since 2010 PG&E has made significant enhancements and upgrades to its extensive 50,000+ mile natural gas pipeline system, including:
We report our greenhouse gas emissions to the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On a voluntary basis, we report a more comprehensive emissions inventory to The Climate Registry, a nonprofit organization. Each year, we also report our greenhouse gas emissions and climate change strategies to the CDP (PDF), an international not-for-profit organization that requests information on behalf of institutional investors.
Reducing methane emissions is part of our commitment to meet our changing climate. We are helping our State meet its bold clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals. We are delivering clean and renewable energy to our customers and strengthening our infrastructure. This helps us reduce our carbon footprint. We are supporting local efforts to make the communities we serve more resilient to climate threats. Learn more in our annual Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report.
To learn more about Gas Safety, visit pge.com/gassafety.
From the bar above the map:
NOTES:
Bar charts will display emissions data and percentage of mains surveyed.
Surveyed areas vary from year-to-year. Emissions are extrapolated for areas that are not surveyed.
Mcf/yr = 1,000 cubic feet per year (standard unit of measure for natural gas).
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For any usability issues related to map navigation, please contact PG&E's Customer Call Center at 1-800-743-5000.
Gas transmission pipelines are the larger diameter, high-pressure pipelines that transport natural gas to regulator stations where the pressure is reduced prior to entering the smaller diameter distribution pipeline system. Gas distribution pipelines directly serve residential and business districts.
Pipeline inspections are conducted on natural gas transmission pipelines twice a year and annually for all distribution pipelines within the main business areas of communities. All additional non-business areas are inspected every three years on an ongoing basis. Gas-related emissions surveys are conducted to ensure the safe, reliable and affordable delivery of clean natural gas.
When gas emissions or small leaks are found on the pipeline system, they are prioritized and graded following the national grading standard established by the American Gas Association. Factors including location, emissions, and size are considered as part of this process.
Emissions that pose a threat to safety are prioritized and immediately repaired. All subsequent leaks are prioritized and placed on a repair schedule. In addition to our annualized surveys, we also respond within 20 minutes to all calls from customers regarding suspected leaks.
The emissions data collected by PG&E is organized on the map by ZIP Code and provides a three-year history of PG&E’s service area. The ranking of cumulative emissions is color coded. The map is updated each spring when annual data is analyzed.
Since 2010, PG&E has made significant enhancements and upgrades to its extensive 50,000+ mile natural gas pipeline system, including:
PG&E has one of the nation's leading research and development teams working to develop, test and pilot new emissions detection technologies. We were one of the first companies to collaborate with Picarro, Inc. to adapt highly sensitive methane detection technologies onto a mobile vehicle platform. Today, PG&E maintains a fleet of 10 vehicles equipped with the Picarro mobile survey technology. These vehicles are used in conjunction with inspections conducted on foot by PG&E personnel who also walk along the pipeline system to survey for any signs of emissions.
PG&E has also been working in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to adapt state-of-the-art technology originally created to identify methane on the planet Mars onto different devices, including an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), that PG&E crews use during their emissions inspection process.
Additionally, PG&E has implemented the Super-emitter accelerated survey process. Using new technology, PG&E surveys its system more often and focuses on finding and fixing the largest emissions first. This is conducted in addition to the regular survey process and is supported by the California Public Utilities Commission.
PG&E has made significant strides in several key safety metrics that also have a direct impact on methane emissions: