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PG&E Directors Hire Consultants To Study Gas Lines

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Pacific Gas and Electric Co.'s board of directors is hiring an independent consulting firm to review its natural gas transmission and distribution lines following the deadly explosion in San Bruno.

PG&E spokesman Greg Pruett says the study is aimed at identifying best practices in the natural gas industry and steps the utility can take to provide confidence it's following them.

Houston-based Process Performance Improvement Consultants will assess the company's safety practices and recommend changes where appropriate. The firm also will examine new industry trends for gas line inspections, accident prevention, maintenance, capital planning and engineering.

The review will be overseen by independent members of the board of directors and should be completed by September of next year.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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