Now a new report suggests the government commission responsible for regulating the utility company that operated the pipeline has taken a hands-off approach.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports PG&E had more pipeline infractions than any other utility in California between 2004 and 2009.
Records show PG&E accounted for more than half of the safety violations found by the California Public Utilities Commission. But the C.P.U.C. did not fine PG&E once.
PG&E says it would be a "mistake" to suggest a lack of fines on the company is connected to a lack of oversight.
