PG&E plans to appeal $1.4B penalty in deadly blast

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Pacific Gas & Electric Co. says it plans to appeal a $1.4 billion penalty recommended by California regulatory judges for a gas pipeline explosion in a San Francisco suburb that killed eight people.

In a filing Wednesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the utility indicated its plan to file an appeal with the California Public Utilities Commission within 30 days.

The filing didn't list a reason for the appeal, but PG&E spokesman Greg Snapper said the utility wants the commission to take into consideration the $2.7 billion PG&E has or will spend on pipeline safety improvements. Snapper said any penalty should also directly go toward public safety.

The bulk of the penalty recommended Tuesday by two administrative law judges would go into the state's general fund.