PG&E outlines meter‑set leak prioritization, reports backlog reductions and targets for 2026
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Summary
PG&E presented its meter‑set leak prioritization: class B leaks (13% of leaking meter sets) cause a disproportionate share of emissions (quoted as 56%), prompting targeted repairs in 2025, backlog reductions, and a 2026 days‑to‑repair target of ~180 days and anticipated >40% emission reductions to be published in the 2026 filing.
Shrikant Shah of PG&E’s Gas Emissions Strategies group reviewed the company’s focus on meter‑set leaks and the prioritization approach used in 2025 to reduce emissions most efficiently. He said class B leaks account for about 13% of the leaking meter‑set population but produce roughly 56% of meter‑set emissions, making them a cost‑effective repair focus.
Shah said PG&E’s backlog of class B leaks fell substantially through 2025, that the company repaired more leaks than it found, and that the utility expects greater than 40% emissions reductions from its 2025 efforts (the exact published reduction will appear in PG&E’s 2026 leak abatement filing). PG&E reported reducing the average days a leak remains open (noting multi‑year averages and a 2026 target of about 180 days; transcript lists earlier and interim figures for days open).
In response to questions, PG&E clarified that class A leaks are closer to the super‑emitter threshold (about 10 scfh), class B leaks are lower and generally not in the super‑emitter category, and that the company records leak locations and photos to support root‑cause analysis. PG&E said opportunistic repairs — bundling identified leaks with other scheduled premises work — and pilot repairs using tape/putty can reduce repair time and associated blowdown emissions.
The presentation closed with staff offering to provide emission‑rate tables and follow up on technical questions; no regulatory votes or commitments were taken at the workshop.
