500 trees may be obstructing gas lines in Atascadero 

– 500 trees which are on the properties of 200 to 300 Atascadero residents may be obstructing gas lines, according to Jeff Smith, a spokesperson for PG&E. Residents received letters last week explaining the potential issues, and now, PG&E is looking to resolve the issues with property owners.

A PG&E technician inspects a gas pipeline. Photo from PG&E.

“It’s an effort to make the entire gas system more safe,” said Smith. “In the event of an emergency, we want to make sure that there is easy access to the lines.”

Smith said that the project covers the entire service area for PG&E’s gas line system, which stretches from Bakersfield to the Oregon border. A lot of potential problems were found in Atascadero, but not so much in other areas of the county, mostly because, in those areas, PG&E is not the primary service provider. A few issues were found elsewhere in the county, mostly in rural areas.

Just because a property owner received a letter, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is an issue with plants or trees obstructing access to pipelines, it simply indicates that there may be an issue and that PG&E will need to come onto the property and look into the potential issue further.

If any trees do need to be moved or replanted, Smith says that, “any costs would be on PG&E’s dime.” Smith says that moving forward, PG&E will be reaching out to customers individually and planning solutions. In the case of potentially removing an oak tree, Smith said that PG&E will work with the city, and go through the proper removal permit process.

Smith says that PG&E will try their best to come to agreement with all customers that may have to make changes to their properties, and that they will do their best to replant the trees in a way that takes into account the property owner’s landscaping preferences.