Barbara Boxer

God help us if something happens in a community like this.

This is the most serious accident in the country, in terms of lives lost. Am I correct?

You requested $5 million, you didn't spend it. Then you went back and requested another $5 million, and you're not going to spend it until 2013.

I guess my concern is, they come in and they say, 'We need to fix it.' And they don't fix it.

PG&E requested $5 million in 2008 to replace a different segment of the transmission pipe that exploded in San Bruno, but that the repair work on that segment was never completed.

So, if you could just answer that, specifically, 'over the past two decades,' if they're right or wrong on $80 million being left on the table on its gas pipeline replacement program.

We have to take action and set the pace here.

We need a check and balance.

Learning what happened at San Bruno will be an important part of that process.

Well, we understand the reported leak rates at Southern California Gas--it's 2.3 per 1,000 miles, compared to 6.2 per 1,000 miles for you.

The PUC is a vigorous enforcer on the people that we regulate, to the tune of half a billion dollars.

Senator Boxer, you've worked with Senator Feinstein to introduce new legislation on pipeline safety.

I include the PUC in that. The Public Utilities Commission needs to look at itself, at its oversight of PG&E and the other gas utilities.

We, as a community--San Bruno and the larger community in California--decide are the right ones to do.

Yes, but you exemplify it, and I thank you very much.

We need inspections. We have to have inspections.

We just can't wait. We don't--it's on our collective shoulders now, after this happened.

I need that information.

It just doesn't sound to me that there was a response plan in place that actually functioned.

I asked for this hearing because we can't move forward until we really look at what happened here.

We hope this time Congress and the Administration will pay close attention and provide a strong, comprehensive solution to pipeline safety instead of offering a Band-Aid for a broken bone.

Senators Boxer and Feinstein have introduced legislation to enhance public safety, strengthen oversight and improve accountability.

You have my full support, as you have Senator Feinstein's, to help you though this, meaning helping with that appeal and also making sure this never happens again.

We can't wait for more regulations. You already have the authority to inspect.

This tragedy, I believe, shows the heavy toll in death and destruction when high-pressure natural gas pipelines fail.