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PG&E Gas Line Serving Bay Area Ruptures During Test

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS / AP) -- Pacific Gas and Electric Co. officials say a major gas transmission line serving the San Francisco Bay Area has ruptured.

The San Francisco Chronicle said the rupture occurred during a pressure test Monday south of Bakersfield as the company was planning to boost gas levels on the pipeline to meet winter demand.

The newspaper said the line failed during a spike test on one of two parallel transmission pipes that run to a major PG&E terminal in Milpitas and provide much of the Bay Area's natural gas.

The testing was part of the utility's effort to assure that its gas system is safe in the aftermath of last year's deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno.

PG&E officials say did not have a timetable for repairs would be made.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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