California Utility Fined $8.1M for Substandard Inspections

California regulators have fined Pacific Gas & Electric Co. more than $8 million for a contractor’s botched inspections of more than 200 welds on natural gas pipelines.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the state’s Public Utilities Commission levied the $8.1 million fine Tuesday against TC Inspections Inc. The state agency found the company performed substandard inspections on a dozen pipelines during a program that PG&E began after the San Bruno pipeline explosion that killed eight people in 2010.

PG&E discovered problems with the company’s work when crews replaced a gas line in Brentwood, which had not yet been put in service. The utility said none of the lines pose a public danger.

PG&E has 10 days to appeal the fine if it chooses to do so.