PG&E may face fines from CPUC for 2012 death of contractor at Kern power plant

SAN FRANCISCO– Pacific Gas and Electric Company may face fines of up to $50,000 from the California Public Utilities Commission for the 2012 death of a contract worker at Bakersfield’s Kern Power Plant.

On June 19, 2012, PG&E hired Cleveland Wrecking Company to dismantle four empty fuel storage tanks at the plant. 

CWC employee Luis Roberto Minjarez, 51, died from injuries he sustained after a portion of a fuel tank wall collapsed inward as it was being dismantled.

CPUC’s Safety and Enforcement Division determined PG&E to have failed to properly evaluate safety during contract bid proposals, to have failed to adequately provide project safety review and oversight, and to have neglected to evaluate safer alternatives for the dismantling process.

CPUC is alleging that PG&E attempted to contract out its safety procedures, and failed to work to mitigate hazards.

Additionally, CPUC claims that PG&E failed to properly and thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident.

PG&E was charged by CPUC’s Safety and Enforcement division with violation California Public Utilities Code Section 451, which requires public utilities to furnish and maintain as necessary to promote safety.

CPUC says PG&E’s infringements are subject to fines between $500 and $50,000 for each violation, for each day, and orders for implementing new operational and policy measures may be issued.