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PG&E Fined $8.1M For Substandard Inspections

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — 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.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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