SF's gas ties to PG&E are weak

San Francisco's relationship with Pacific Gas & Electric Company's electricity division is stronger than its relationship with the company's gas division, the city's fire chief said.

The city formed a committee to consider gas pipeline safety issues in the wake of PG&E's fatal Sept. 9 explosion and fire in San Bruno.

San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White, who leads the committee, told city lawmakers during a City Hall hearing on Monday that the city has a "very strong working relationship" with PG&E's electricity division.

That strong relationship has helped the utility and company work closely together on safety-related issues affecting the company's electrical network, such as vault explosions.

But the city has weaker links with the company's gas division, she said.

San Francisco is working to develop "at least the same type of relationship" with the gas division, which would involve frequent meetings and appointments to safety panels, according to Hayes-White.