|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A new PG&E facility in the Tri-Valley held its grand opening Friday morning, with much fanfare and many dignitaries present.
The 25,000-square-foot Center for Gas Safety and Innovation in Dublin is the second of three new centers for the company. The Gas Control Center opened first in 2013 in San Ramon and the Gas Safety Academy is expected to open in Winters next month.
The Dublin site at 5875 Arnold Road, near the Gleason and Hacienda drives intersection, will house three groups within PG&E’s gas operations division: methods and procedures, measurement and control test lab, and non-destructive examination.
Considering that PG&E already has a significant footprint in the Tri-Valley, constructing the center in Dublin makes sense, said Sumeet Singh, PG&E vice president of gas portfolio management and engineering. “It’s a natural progression,” he said at the Friday event.
The ceremony happened to take place — perhaps not so coincidentally — on National Safe Digging day, so-dated on Aug. 11 (8/11) because 811 is the phone number to call before digging in order for utility operators to come out to your location and mark all underground utilities.
The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a $10,000 check presented to Innovation Tri-Valley Leadership Group in recognition of its work as a community partner, and a tour of the new facility. Community members and leaders from across the Tri-Valley region attended, including the mayor of Livermore, vice mayor of Dublin and chamber of commerce members from San Ramon and Danville.
Cindy Chin, a representative for Assemblywoman Catharine Baker, said that the new center would not only support Dublin, but the entire Tri-Valley region.
Singh agreed, adding that it would contribute to cleaner energy on a more universal level as well. “A lot of tools and techniques that we use here, we’re sharing with friends in the industry,” he said.
“Safety” was an oft-repeated word throughout the ceremony.
Each of the three groups that will be situated at the new facility has a unique objective.
Specialists and engineers in the methods and procedures group work on crafting and revising PG&E’s gas guidance documents, tools and equipment to make sure operations are consistent with regulations. They also collaborate with manufacturers to test new products and processes.
Those in the measurement and control test lab oversee the testing, evaluation and implementation of measurement and control device systems for the gas pipeline system, along with providing technical support for operational needs.
And the non-destructive examination group is charged with evaluating the strength of PG&E’s pipeline network through inspections, calibrations, testing and training.
“We’re pleased PG&E selected Dublin as their headquarters for this important work,” Dublin vice mayor Don Biddle said in a statement. “Dublin has become a hub for innovation, and today’s grand opening reinforces our commitment to support businesses that not only enhance the community of Dublin but reach consumers throughout the state and country.”
-
At Friday morning’s grand opening ceremony, Pacific Gas and Electric Company officials presented the Innovation Tri-Valley Leadership Group with a check for $10,000 in recognition of their work as a community partner. From left to right: Sumeet Singh (PG&E vice president of Gas Portfolio Management and Engineering), Geisha Williams (CEO of PG&E), Dale Kaye (CEO of Innovation Tri-Valley) and John Sensiba (board chair of Innovation Tri-Valley). (Photo by Erika Alvero) -
Singh cuts the ribbon, to applause and many snapping cameras. (Photo by Erika Alvero) -
Gas Methods and Procedures specialist Michael Lane explains the type of fusion used with PG&E pipeline, like the pipe he holds in his hands. (Photo by Erika Alvero) -
Lane demonstrates the use of the McElroy DataLogger 6, a way for operators to track data for pipeline structures. (Photo by Erika Alvero) -
Singh shows attendees the technology used to examine pipes for leaks. (Photo by Erika Alvero) -
Stephen Simon, manager of quality control for non-destructive examination and welding, explains how pipes are regulated for quality control through x-rays and robots (called “pigs”) that go through the pipelines, equipped with ultra-sonic sensors. (Photo by Erika Alvero) -
When employees detect pipeline issues, they’re publicly recognized with a stuffed giraffe named “Eagle Eye.” It’s a giraffe “for sticking your neck out,” said Singh. (Photo by Erika Alvero)
Community Briefs: Tango and Jazz at City Center | Alamo and Danville road closuresApril 3, 2026 9:31 am
Does this new facility have an address?
Good question, Erick. It’s at 5875 Arnold Road. We will update the story