Santa Cruz and PG&E Host Public Meeting on Community Pipeline Safety Initiative

From the City of Santa Cruz:

SANTA CRUZ, CA — The City of Santa Cruz and Pacific Gas and Electric Company invite the public to a meeting regarding the Community Pipeline Safety Initiative’s proposed removal and replacement of 38 City of Santa Cruz trees. City and PG&E staff will present information on this proposal with opportunity for the community to ask questions and dialogue with experts. The meeting will be held at the Police Department Community Room, 155 Center St. in Santa Cruz on Wednesday, July 6, 6:30-8 p.m.

In 2012 as part of its statewide gas transmission safety program portfolio, PG&E started the Community Pipeline Safety Initiative to repair damage to the integrity of gas pipelines or remove natural and manmade structures that can block safety crews from getting to pipelines in an emergency or natural disaster. PG&E is proposing the removal of obstructions above its major underground gas transmission lines throughout the state including 38 city-owned franchise/right-of-way trees in Santa Cruz to be removed and replaced or relocated.

The Santa Cruz City Council heard PG&E’s Community Pipeline Safety Initiative proposal as a consent item in April. The City Council then directed staff to work with PG&E in reviewing the proposed tree removal/replacement plan and hosting a public meeting. Since then, the number of targeted “sidewalk” trees has been reduced from nearly 100 trees initially proposed to 38.

The location of the trees slated for removal will be provided at the July 6 public meeting. PG&E representatives will also share information on how they test for pipeline safety and how they determine safe tree distance from major pipelines. City officials who will be present to answer questions include Mayor Cynthia Mathews, Public Works Director Mark Dettle and City Arborist Leslie Keedy.

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