Gas Pipeline & Safety Info

• Q. Based on population and pipeline locations, what is the designation for my City?

  A. According to U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines, the Riverside County is designated as a High Consequence Area (HCA). To learn more about HCAs click here*.

• Q. How can I make my City more safe and save resources by preventing pipeline incidents?

  A. Public officials are encouraged to work with contractors to have a valid 811 ticket before excavation. Contractors must do so by law. Homeowners should call, too. This is a FREE service and it can help prevent injury, costly property damage and loss of utility service.  An overview of the 811 process and best practices for safe excavation near pipelines and other underground utilities can be found here.

• Q. How should I coordinate City planning and development projects with SoCalGas if my community is growing?

  A. Contact us and we can guide you through safe building around our major gas pipelines. We encourage you to review the information provided by the Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) because the decisions you make can impact the safety of the community surrounding the pipeline.

• Q. If there is a major gas leak, how do I get emergency crews there as fast as possible?

  A. Work with the 911 dispatchers in your City to understand and follow the Pipeline Emergency Operations Standard.

• Q. The Proposition 218 Notice spoke about tipping fee increases. What is a tipping fee?

  A. Tipping fees are fees that are charged by Riverside County Waste Management Department for every ton of waste disposed of at the Riverside County landfill. These fees pay for managing programs such as stormwater runoff, recycling and green waste. These programs help with water quality and reducing the amount of waste that is deposited at the landfill.

• Q. What does SoCalGas do to maintain its pipelines and protect the public?

  A. SoCalGas uses pipelines to deliver natural gas to residential and business customers for heating, cooking, manufacturing and other purposes. Because safety is our top priority, we implemented a rigorous Integrity Management Program (IMP), use the advanced safety inspection tools to determine pipe condition and maintain the safety of our pipelines. To learn more about the IMP go here.

• Q. What should I do when there is a gas leak?

  A. Leaking gas from any damaged pipeline or gas meter could cause a fire, explosion, property damage and serious bodily injury. If a gas leak is suspected, don't light a match, candle, or cigarette. Don't turn electrical appliances or lights on or off. Leave the area and from a safe location call us directly at (800) 427-2200 or 911. For more guidelines on what to do if you encounter a leaking gas pipe or meter click here.

• Q. Where do I get more pipeline safety information?

  A. Go to socalgas.com (search “SAFETY”). You can also contact me by email at LPetersen@SempraUtilities.com or phone at 909-335-7631.

• Q. Why does SoCalGas prune or clear trees in my City?

  A. We must have unobstructed access along our pipeline right-of-way to maintain and operate our facilities and to quickly respond to any pipeline emergency. Furthermore, tree roots can damage our pipelines.