Utility convicted in 2010 pipeline blast

California utility Pacific Gas & Electric was convicted in federal court on multiple charges related to a 2010 natural gas pipeline explosion.

The jury late Tuesday found PG&E guilty on five felony counts for failing to inspect and test pipelines before and after the disaster, and one felony count of obstructing the federal investigation into it, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

{mosads}The company was acquitted on six charges regarding allegedly failing to keep proper inspection and test records.

The blast in suburban San Bruno, Calif., killed eight, injured another 58 and and destroyed 38 homes.

Investigators concluded that a nearly 60-year-old pipe with a defective weld was to blame, despite PG&E’s records saying there was no seam at that spot.

Though such convictions are rare, PG&E faces a maximum penalty of only $3 million from the convictions, the Chronicle said, because a judge prevented prosecutors from using new safety rules against the utility.

The company did not say whether it would appeal, but defended its safety record.

“We have made unprecedented progress in the nearly six years since the tragic San Bruno accident and we are committed to maintaining our focus on safety,” it said in a statement after the verdict. “We want our customers and their families to know that we are committed to re-earning their trust.”

Prosecutors argued that PG&E put profits far above safety in its priorities, an allegation that the company denied.

San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane told the Chronicle that the convictions are gratifying, but he wishes federal prosecutors would also charge top PG&E executives in relation to the disaster.

Jurors did not speak to reporters after handing down the conviction. They took seven days to deliberate.

The San Bruno explosion led to large-scale changes in state and federal regulation of pipelines carrying explosive materials.

Congress in 2011 passed a wide-ranging pipeline safety bill that asked regulators to write dozens of new rules, although many of the rules have not yet been made final.