PG&E offers to go green amid controversy

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SAN FRANCISCO, April 25 (UPI) -- California utility Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said it was proposing a renewable energy program for its electricity customers in the state.

PG&E said that it asked state regulators for permission to implement its "Green Option," a move to support a 100 percent renewable energy program.

By 2013, PG&E wants to let consumers choose a 100 percent renewable energy program for what it said was a modest premium.

"On behalf of our customers, PG&E is already one of the largest suppliers of renewable energy in the country," Helen Burt, a senior vice president of PG&E, said in a statement.

The announcement comes as PG&E faces more challenges stemming from a natural gas explosion in San Bruno, Calif., in 2010. The accident killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes. PG&E announced in March that it reached an agreement to pay $70 million to the city of San Bruno in restitution.

A report from California regulators found that PG&E's record-keeping on its gas transmission lines was substandard.

San Bruno officials may order PG&E to remove the damaged pipeline, the San Jose Mercury News reports.