WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- A Washington hearing on a fatal California pipeline explosion provides an opportunity "to get to the technical core of the problem," a legislator said.
Top executives Pacific Gas and Electric Co. are to testify at the three-day National Transportation Safety Board hearing on the Sept. 19 San Bruno accident, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
The hearing begins Tuesday.
The board will investigate how PG&E runs its pipelines, how it deals with risks and whether it is regulated strongly enough. It also will release thousands of pages of documents, including lab test results on the pipe and interview transcripts.
The NTSB has not held a public inquiry on pipeline safety since two fatal incidents in 2000.
"It's a real opportunity to get to the technical core of the problem that occurred in San Bruno," said California Assemblyman Jerry Hill, whose district includes the site. The explosion and fire killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes.
Almost 30 witnesses have been called and the hearing will be broadcast online.
Chairwoman Deborah Hersman said the NTSB is investigating five major pipeline accidents since May 2009. The board plans to issue a final report on San Bruno by September.
