PG&E in California Reaches Accidental Release Rule Settlement

Pacific Gas and Electric Company has reached a settlement to resolve a violation of the Clean Air Act and the 2020 Accidental Release Reporting rule.

The agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board marks the first time the EPA has taken an enforcement action and reached a settlement with a company for violations of the 2020 rule.

An accidental release of natural gas from a PG&E pipeline in San Jose, California, on On June 8, 2023, caused a serious injury to a PG&E employee that the company reportedly failed to report to the CSB. Under the settlement, PG&E will pay a penalty of $45,273 for failing to report that incident. PG&E has submitted a report to the CSB containing the required information about the incident.

The Accidental Release Reporting rule, part of the chemical accident prevention requirements under section 112(r) of the CAA, requires owners and operators of stationary sources to report accidental releases of regulated or other extremely hazardous substances that result in a fatality, serious injury, or substantial property damage. The CAA authorizes EPA to enforce the failure to report an accidental release to the CSB.