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.
Methane Emissions - Used to symbolize the zip code by the methane emissions level and by year using a color ramp.
What are emissionsEmissions 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.
Using state of the art technology- The development and use of state-of-the-art methane-detecting technologies are key to PG&E's efforts to reduce overall gas emissions. This also advances the company's commitment to help combat climate change and to help the state achieve and surpass its clean energy goals.
- PG&E has one of the nation's leading Research and Development teams working to develop, test, and pilot new emissions detection technologies. PG&E was one of the very first companies to collaborate with Picarro Inc. to adapt some of the most highly sensitive methane detection technologies onto a mobile vehicle platform.
- PG&E maintains a fleet of 10 vehicles equipped with the Picarro mobile survey technology. PG&E also conducts inspections on foot by personnel who also walk along the pipeline system to survey for any signs of emissions.
- PG&E works in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to adapt advanced technologies originally created to identify methane on the planet Mars onto different devices, including an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
- A new approach taken by PG&E in the last two years is the Super-emitter accelerated survey process. With this, PG&E surveys its system more often and focuses on finding and fixing the largest emissions first… A process introduced to and supported by the California Public Utilities Commission.
Inspecting pipelines- Natural Gas pipeline inspections are conducted on the larger gas transmission pipes twice a year and annually for the smaller diameter 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.
Find and fixWhen 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.
A modern gas systemSince 2010 PG&E has made significant enhancements and upgrades to its extensive 50,000+ mile natural gas pipeline system, including:
- Installing a combined 6,780 SCADA visibility and control points on distribution and transmission lines, which monitor pressure and flow of gas 24-hours a day and feed that data back to the Gas Control Center;
- Reducing the number of open leaks on its system;
- Replacing 863 miles of distribution pipeline;
- Replacing 269 miles of transmission pipeline;
- Pressure testing 1,495 miles of transmission pipeline;
- And, modernizing 1,316 miles of gas transmission line to accommodate inspection tools.
Working with state and federal agenciesPG&E reports its greenhouse gas emissions to the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA). On a voluntary basis, PG&E reports a more comprehensive emissions inventory to The Climate Registry., a nonprofit organization. Each year, PG&E also reports its greenhouse gas emissions and climate change strategies.
IN 2016, THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY LAUNCHED A METHANE CHALLENGE. PG&E WAS ONE OF THE 41 FOUNDING PARTNERS.To learn more about Gas Safety, visit https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/gas-safety/gas-safety.page
Update Cycle: Annually
Published: 8/1/2022
Contact:
Stephen Ramos, PE, PMP
Gas Operations R&D and Innovation
6111 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon, CA 94583
Email: stephen.ramos@pge.com