Two San Francisco residents filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the construction company and contractors involved in a gas line rupture that caused a three-alarm fire on Geary Boulevard earlier this month.

According to the lawsuit, plaintiffs Carina Kouyoumji and Nora Wixom are suing Mastec Services Company Inc.; Mastec Renewables Construction Company Inc.; Kilford Engineering Inc.; and Advanced Fiber Works Inc. Verizon Communications Inc. was also named as a defendant.

Both plaintiffs live in one of the five buildings that were severely damaged in the fire on February 6th. The fire ignited after workers installing fiber optic lines near Geary Boulevard and Parker Avenue encountered a PG&E gas line.

The lawsuit alleges the explosion was a direct result of defendants' “reckless and willful violation of California law to use an excavator to dig a trench near underground facilities.”

The California government code requires anyone excavating near an underground installation, such as a gas line, to use hand tools such as a shovel.

The defendants are also accused of negligence, harassment and trespassing.

The lawsuit further alleges that the fire destroyed the property of the two plaintiffs, leaving them homeless. In addition, the two suffered from mental anguish and were therefore forced to take time off from work.

“Ultimately, there are contractors who work near high-pressure gas pipelines in a high-density area like San Francisco. One would think that all precautions would be taken in accordance with state law, including not using heavy machinery near gas pipelines,” said Ara Jabagchourian, lawyer for the plaintiffs. “We’re lucky no one was hurt here.”

Immediately after the gas line burst, flames shot into the air for over two hours before emergency crews stopped the flow of gas.

Residents in the neighborhood were evacuated. According to police and fire departments, two buildings were left with significant structural damage and three others with significant water damage.

According to PG&E, before excavation began, contractors had called 811 to check for utility lines beneath the area. PG&E then sent crews to the area to do markings.

Days after the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board announced that it had begun an investigation into the cause with assistance from the FBI. The investigation should include interviews with the contractors and subcontractors involved.

Florida-based Mastec and New York-based Verizon were not immediately available for comment. Kilford Engineering could not be reached for comment.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, Jabagchourian said.

The post Residents File Lawsuit In opposition to Contractors, Verizon Over San Francisco Gasoline Explosion – NBC Bay Space appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board of Directors (BAAQMD) on Wednesday approved new regulations that will gradually reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from natural gas furnaces and water heaters in the Bay Area.

According to the Air District, natural gas construction equipment is one of the largest emitters of nitrogen oxides of all stationary air pollution sources, producing a similar amount of NOx pollution as passenger vehicles in the Bay Area.

“The Bay Area’s 1.8 million water heaters and furnaces significantly impact our air quality, leading to dozens of early deaths and a variety of health impacts, particularly in communities of color,” said Dr. Philip Fine, Air District Executive Officer. “This groundbreaking regulation will phase out the most polluting devices in homes and businesses to protect Bay Area residents from the harmful air pollution they cause.”

Many illnesses, including cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing, asthma and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, have been linked to NOx exposure, while asthma and other respiratory diseases, neurological diseases, heart attack, stroke, lung cancer and premature death have been linked to exposure to fine dust.

The new changes will prevent up to $890 million a year in health damage from air pollution.

However, the Air District added that the rule changes apply only to new equipment and do not require the immediate replacement of existing equipment. They also do not apply to appliances used for cooking, such as: B. Gas stoves. The Air District expects the new regulation to reduce NOx emissions by 90% and significantly improve air quality in the Bay Area.

Information for this briefing was obtained from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board of Directors, as well as referenced sources and companies. The author has no securities or affiliations with the organizations discussed. No buy or sell recommendation. Always conduct additional research and consult a professional before purchasing any security. The author has no licenses.

The post San Francisco Bay Space to Ban Pure Gasoline Heating Home equipment by 2027 appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

SAN FRANCISCO – The Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board of Directors has adopted amendments to Regulation 9, Rules 4 and 6 to eliminate emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from residential and commercial natural gas furnaces and water heaters in the Bay Area. be free.

Emissions from natural gas building appliances cause a similar amount of NOx pollution to passenger vehicles in the Bay Area. As a group, they are among the largest emitters of nitrogen oxides of all stationary air pollution sources regulated by the Air District.

“The Bay Area’s 1.8 million water heaters and furnaces significantly impact our air quality, leading to dozens of early deaths and a variety of health impacts, particularly in communities of color,” said Dr. Philip Fine, managing director of the air district. “This groundbreaking regulation will phase out the most polluting devices in homes and businesses to protect Bay Area residents from the harmful air pollution they cause.”

The rule changes would only apply to new devices and would not require the immediate replacement of existing devices. They also do not apply to appliances used for cooking, such as: B. Gas stoves. NOx-emitting natural gas furnaces and water heaters will be phased out over time, starting with water heaters in 2027. The rule changes will improve overall regional air quality through outdoor ventilation of these appliances and reduce exposure to particulate matter, particularly in communities They account for up to $890 million per year in health impacts due to exposure to air pollution. NOx emissions affect local and regional air quality and contribute to the formation of ozone and particulate matter (PM2.5).

Exposure to NOx is associated with coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, asthma, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. Exposure to particulate matter has been linked to asthma and other respiratory diseases, neurological diseases, heart attack, stroke, lung cancer and premature death. The new changes will protect public health from the dangers of these pollutants and prevent an estimated 85 premature deaths and dozens of new asthma cases in the Bay Area each year.

The air district released a draft environmental impact report and sought comments on the proposed rule changes during a 45-day public comment period that ended Feb. 6. Compliance dates are between 2027 and 2031, depending on device type, use and size. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is the regional agency responsible for protecting air quality and the global climate in the nine-county Bay Area. For more information, visit www.baaqmd.gov/building-appliances.

The post San Francisco Newest Metropolis to Ban Fuel Furnaces appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced Tuesday that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) will get a planned $70 million initial investment for the development and production of 30,000 new heat pump units throughout their public housing facilities that will bring advanced heating and cooling technologies while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The funding is part of the Clean Heat for All Challenge, an initiative spearheaded by the NYCHA, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop a new electrification product that can better serve the heating and cooling needs of existing multifamily buildings and hasten the transition to fossil-free heating sources.

The funding was awarded through two seven-year contracts to Midea America and Gradient for the development and delivery of cold climate packaged window heat pump units.

“New York is tackling the climate crisis and the need for affordable housing head on, and today we’re taking additional action through a transformative $70 million investment,” Hochul said. “Prioritizing green investments in public housing ensures the State’s bold climate agenda is equitable – benefiting all New Yorkers now and for decades to come. All NYCHA residents deserve high quality homes and New York will continue to take aggressive measures to help ensure residents have the safe, livable, and quality affordable housing they deserve.”

Mayor Adams said his administration is laser-focused on providing safe, high-quality, affordable housing for all New Yorkers, and the initiative delivers on his commitment through the housing blueprint that he previously released.

“We understand better than ever that our city’s most pressing crises are interconnected, but the solutions can be too. I am so proud to be partnering with Governor Hochul to deliver top-of-the-line technology for NYCHA residents to heat and cool their homes while also reducing our carbon footprint and helping to protect New Yorkers from health issues like asthma,” Adams said .

Over the next year, NYPA will coordinate with Midea America and Gradient to develop the proposed heat pump technology for testing and demonstration. NYPA will then collaborate with NYCHA to install 60 of the developed units in designated public housing to be comprehensively monitored and assessed over the course of a winter season before moving forward with the widespread installation of 30,000 units throughout the following years.

The heat pump units developed to meet the Clean Heat for All Challenge will enable rapid, low-cost electrification of space heating in multifamily buildings by reducing or eliminating many of the cost drivers inherent to installing existing heat pump technologies in resident occupied apartments, including electrical system upgrades, lengthy refrigerant piping and through-wall drilling and penetrations.

“The lack of an efficient and affordable solution for electric heating and cooling remains one of the primary hurdles for meaningfully reducing our carbon emissions footprint, especially for many of the tall residential buildings that comprise our portfolio,” said NYCHA Chair & CEO Greg Russ. “This innovative public-private partnership helps move NYCHA towards a low-carbon future, by bringing the promising technology of beneficial electrification to the largest public housing authority in the United States.”

Midea America, which was awarded a contract for 20,000 units, is a global appliance manufacturer founded in 1968 with headquarters in China and the US, 11 factories around the globe, and annual output of 67 million units. They are a market leader in room air conditioning with a line of Energy Star rated window ACs, dehumidifiers and other packaged ACs.

Founded in 2015, Gradient is a startup based in San Francisco, California that was awarded a contract to manufacture 10,000 units. The proposed unit will be a cold climate heat pump capable of operating at low temperatures based on NYCHA’s specifications. The company intends to manufacture the product domestically in the United States.

The post NYCHA to get superior HVAC system to scale back greenhouse gasoline appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

By Belis Sly and Trish Donnelly

Pan-Med Enterprises, located in the prestigious Pacific Professional Building in San Francisco, has been serving the health needs of the Bay Area since 1984. Although the building was considered state-of-the-art when it first opened, it had not been updated since then.

Pan-Med’s Tony Najera checks out the newly installed HVAC controls.

Tony Najera, a veteran Pan-Med engineer and recently appointed Building Manager, recognized there was an opportunity to bring his building into the 21st century with modern, energy-efficient equipment updates. As soon as he took charge of the building’s energy management, Najera rolled out a complete overhaul project focused on achieving the company’s long-term energy goals while increasing occupant and patient comfort.

“When my board asked me about my 5-year energy savings plan, I told them we can get it done in 2 years with the help of PG&E,” said Najera.

(Hear more in this video about how Pan-Med Enterprises worked with PG&E to help save both energy and money.)

Due to the building’s expansive footprint, financing a complete energy overhaul out-of-pocket would not be feasible. Working closely with his PG&E account manager and energy solutions company, Gridium, Najera quickly put together a plan that outlined $2.6M worth of equipment upgrades to maximize energy and money savings. This planning enabled Pan-Med Enterprises to retrofit the whole building with PG&E’s 0% interest On-Bill Financing Program, and pay for the total project cost with monthly energy savings and no out-of-pocket costs.

Once the project plan was complete and the On-Bill Financing loan was approved, PG&E trade pro partner Gridium worked with design and construction partner NuWave Energy Solutions to install LED lighting, variable frequency drives, HVAC controls, and a smart building automation system to monitor and manage it all. All the work was done while the building was occupied, with no effect on Pan-Med’s operations.

Since completion, Pan-Med is saving 30% of electricity usage and 60% of gas usage, bringing in $270,000/994,000 kWh in yearly energy savings – meaning they can turn their focus back to caring for the members of their community.

Email Currents at Currents@pge.com.

The post Pacific Fuel and Electrical : San Francisco Medical Constructing Strikes into twenty first Century with Power Effectivity Upgrades appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced Tuesday that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) will get a planned $70 million initial investment for the development and production of 30,000 new heat pump units throughout their public housing facilities that will bring advanced heating and cooling technologies while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The funding is part of the Clean Heat for All Challenge, an initiative spearheaded by the NYCHA, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop a new electrification product that can better serve the heating and cooling needs of existing multifamily buildings and hasten the transition to fossil-free heating sources.

The funding was awarded through two seven-year contracts to Midea America and Gradient for the development and delivery of cold climate packaged window heat pump units.

“New York is tackling the climate crisis and the need for affordable housing head on, and today we’re taking additional action through a transformative $70 million investment,” Hochul said. “Prioritizing green investments in public housing ensures the State’s bold climate agenda is equitable – benefiting all New Yorkers now and for decades to come. All NYCHA residents deserve high quality homes and New York will continue to take aggressive measures to help ensure residents have the safe, livable, and quality affordable housing they deserve.”

Mayor Adams said his administration is laser-focused on providing safe, high-quality, affordable housing for all New Yorkers, and the initiative delivers on his commitment through the housing blueprint that he previously released.

“We understand better than ever that our city’s most pressing crises are interconnected, but the solutions can be too. I am so proud to be partnering with Governor Hochul to deliver top-of-the-line technology for NYCHA residents to heat and cool their homes while also reducing our carbon footprint and helping to protect New Yorkers from health issues like asthma,” Adams said .

Over the next year, NYPA will coordinate with Midea America and Gradient to develop the proposed heat pump technology for testing and demonstration. NYPA will then collaborate with NYCHA to install 60 of the developed units in designated public housing to be comprehensively monitored and assessed over the course of a winter season before moving forward with the widespread installation of 30,000 units throughout the following years.

The heat pump units developed to meet the Clean Heat for All Challenge will enable rapid, low-cost electrification of space heating in multifamily buildings by reducing or eliminating many of the cost drivers inherent to installing existing heat pump technologies in resident occupied apartments, including electrical system upgrades, lengthy refrigerant piping and through-wall drilling and penetrations.

“The lack of an efficient and affordable solution for electric heating and cooling remains one of the primary hurdles for meaningfully reducing our carbon emissions footprint, especially for many of the tall residential buildings that comprise our portfolio,” said NYCHA Chair & CEO Greg Russ. “This innovative public-private partnership helps move NYCHA towards a low-carbon future, by bringing the promising technology of beneficial electrification to the largest public housing authority in the United States.”

Midea America, which was awarded a contract for 20,000 units, is a global appliance manufacturer founded in 1968 with headquarters in China and the US, 11 factories around the globe, and annual output of 67 million units. They are a market leader in room air conditioning with a line of Energy Star rated window ACs, dehumidifiers and other packaged ACs.

Founded in 2015, Gradient is a startup based in San Francisco, California that was awarded a contract to manufacture 10,000 units. The proposed unit will be a cold climate heat pump capable of operating at low temperatures based on NYCHA’s specifications. The company intends to manufacture the product domestically in the United States.

The post NYCHA to get superior HVAC system to scale back greenhouse gasoline appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

If you own a car or a television, you’ve probably noticed — gas prices are surging to record highs. AAA reported a national average of $4.25 per gallon last week, with gas prices predicted to creep up even more in the near future. This extra cost is adding fuel to an already hot fire for business owners and consumers in the grip of inflation. But is this pressure at the pump going to impact homeowners looking to hire pros for their home improvement projects?

Most likely. Here’s what we know.

Angi recently polled our pros to find out how this recent spike is impacting their businesses. More than 90% of Angi pros say they expect higher gas prices this year and nearly 95% (94.9%) say those costs will impact their businesses. Due to surging gas prices, nearly 75% of pros say they will raise prices or rates (or already have) to make up for this added expense.

Joshua Belcher, owner and operator at Liberty Landscaping in Knightstown, Ind., used to offer all his customers free estimates. But now, due to gas prices and inflation, he’s had to start charging for that service and raise prices by 20%.

“You want to do the best you can for your customers and give them fair deals,” he said. “But in order to stay afloat, you have to charge for things you used to do for free before.”

About half of Belcher’s customer base has been able to afford the price increase. For the most part, homeowners understand where he’s coming from.

“Customers who appreciate your business and have the financial means do have your back during these hard times,” he said. “It’s a bummer for them but they understand. Certain customers we’ve lost because they say they can’t take the price increase.”

Phil Boonstra, owner of PR Builders in Windsor, Colo., says rising gas prices increase his subcontractor costs and he has no choice but to pass that on to homeowners.

“Some of my subcontractors are an hour away from the job, and every time they’re filling up, they’re seeing a $20 or $30 increase in cost,” he said. “They start adding trip charges to their work, and that gets passed on to the consumer. On a basement remodeling job, that’s an extra few hundred dollars. It really starts to add up.”

But there are ways for both homeowners and pros to work together and save on transportation costs.

Tips to budget for home projects amid gas price surge

Communicate with your pro and expect the extra charge

Pros have to factor in the extra cost of gasoline required to make it to your home. Asking about any extra fees related to gas prices can save homeowners sticker shock later on.

Many pros are now wrapping this additional cost into their home project quotes. Until gas prices cool off, it’s helpful for homeowners to budget for this extra expense when hiring a pro.

Consider bundling your home projects together

Have a few things that need tackling at your home? Think about hiring a handyperson who is able to handle a few different jobs in one visit. That way, you (and your pro) will save on transportation costs.

Book pros close to your home

Hiring a local service (as opposed to one that is a town or two away) can save homeowners money in transportation costs. Plus, pros may be more likely to take on jobs that are nearby, so they can avoid spending more money at the pumps.

Tweet your home care questions with #AskAngi and we’ll try to answer them in a future column.

The post How will fuel costs have an effect on dwelling companies prices? appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

Gasper and his wife Minnie Pulizzi are walking from San Diego to San Francisco to combat the sky-high gas prices.

That trek is roughly 500 miles.

Eyewitness News caught up with the couple, who are in their 80s, for a recent report on the rising gas prices.

Gasper says he can remember when gas was 25 cents a gallon in 1959.

The last time someone made such a journey was last April, when a man in a bear suit trekked from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

READ MORE: Life-sized teddy bear walking from LA to San Francisco

The man who went by Bearsun started his journey from Little Tokyo in LA County in his attempt to reach viral fame. A deputy stopped him along the way and gave him the all-clear to continue safely.

This was a bear-y unique situation. You may have seen a large teddy bear walking through town. One of our deputies got to meet the individual inside the bear & learned his goal is to complete a walk from Los Angeles to San Francisco. We wish him the best of luck on his adventure! pic.twitter.com/oLLyZsfZE1

— SCV Sheriff (@SCVSHERIFF) April 14, 2021

The Pulizzis will likely walk a full 100 miles more than Bearsun did in his journey. The couple is 50 years old.

Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

The post Married couple of their 80s stroll from San Diego to San Francisco to fight sky-high gasoline costs appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) — Environmentalists are not looking kindly upon a proposal by Governor Gavin Newsom to send vehicle owners a $400 debit card to help cover the higher costs of gasoline.

Pumping back $400, or even $800 if you own two vehicles, back into the wallets of drivers when gas prices are spiking sounds like relief. But many environmental groups don’t believe this is the right approach.

READ MORE: Man Shot After Trying To Disarm Gunman During Stockton Robbery

“It’s like a bandaid that doesn’t really do anything for the current problem we’re in,” said director of Environment California Laura Deehan.

Instead of spending $9 billion for $400 rebates, the non-profit Environment California wants to see that money used for more electric vehicle charging stations, transit system improvements, and programs that would drive more people to use electric bicycles.

The rebates, they say, would conflict with efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

“It reminds me of a glass of wine for an alcoholic. It feels really good when you’re struggling. But the problem is we’re dependent on this fuel to power our lives that is hurting your health and planet,” said Deehan.

READ MORE: Major Retail Theft Ring Busted; Among Targets Bay Area Macy’s Stores; JCPenney In Stoneridge Mall

Bay Area Environmental groups like Food and Water Watch want the Governor to address fossil fuel dependence more aggressively.

“He needs to take on the fossil fuel industry, do more to speed that transition which means stopping the expansion of fossil fuels and moving towards a robust and quick and just 100% renewable energy,” said Mark Schlosberg of Food & Water Watch.

Newsom’s proposal would also provide relief to non-drivers by providing free rail and mass transit service for three months. State lawmakers have introduced their own proposals, regardless of whether you own a car. One would provide rebates of $200 for each taxpayer and dependent, and excludes the top 10% of earners.

On Thursday, the Democratic-led Assembly rejected a GOP-proposed suspension of the gas tax, which would immediately reduce the price of gas by 51 cents per gallon.

“We need to have a very rapid and aggressive transition to 100% renewable energy with investments in electrification and transportation,” said Schlosberg.

MORE NEWS: San Jose Police Officer, Former SJSU Football Star Packer Remembered at Memorial Services

The post California Environmental Teams Criticize Proposed $400 Fuel Rebate – CBS San Francisco appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

When it comes to chimney repairs in San Mateo and Redwood City, California, Mister Chimney & Nova Fireplaces can help.

This press release was originally distributed by ReleaseWire

Belmont, CA — (ReleaseWire) — 03/21/2022 — The chimney is essential for every household. It helps direct the smoke away from the furnace or heating unit out of the house. However, this is not the only function of the chimney as it prevents the tiles and walls from getting dirty due to the smoke and fumes created from cooking.

During cooking, the oil particles make the kitchen surrounding sticky. A chimney installation can help handle the problem. Besides, it helps recycle the air, reducing the amount of heat during cooking. It also helps keep the home smoke-free by absorbing smoke and fumes. It adds to the style quotient. An investment in chimney repair in San Mateo and Redwood City, California, helps keep the system in good working order for years to come.

Mister Chimney & Nova Fireplaces is a leading chimney cleaning and repair company handling all types of chimney repair work. They have the knowledge, equipment, and expertise to meet the needs and expectations from masonry repairs and addressing smoke issues to complete rebuilds.

The professional technicians are dedicated to providing chimney repair services to residential and commercial customers throughout San Francisco, Belmont, California, and the surrounding Bay Area.

Waterproofing is one of the most excellent methods to safeguard a freshly repaired or rebuilt chimney, and it’s always a necessary aspect of any large chimney repair.

The bricks of the chimney are like sponges. When they come into touch with water, the moisture seeps in slowly, weakening the bricks and finally crumbling them. The chimney should be waterproofed to avoid damage.

While there are various waterproofing treatments on the market, the chimney requires a specifically created product for that purpose. The expert specialists will choose the perfect product for the chimney and apply it correctly to ensure that it lasts longer.

The chimney repair is a complex process; both homeowners and business owners must hand it over to the experts to handle.

For more information on gas fireplace inserts in San Francisco and Hayward, California, visit https://www.mister-chimney.com/gas-fireplaces-gas-fireplace-inserts-redwood-city-ca/.

Call 650-631-4531 for details.

About Mister-Chimney & Nova Fireplaces
Mister-Chimney & Nova Fireplaces is the one-stop destination for fireplace repairs in San Francisco and Fremont, California, apart from gas fireplace installation, chimney repairs to chimney sweeping, and more.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/mister-chimney-nova-fireplaces-specializes-in-gas-fireplace-inserts-in-san-francisco-and-hawyard -california-1354603.htm

The post Mister Chimney & Nova Fireplaces Focuses on Gasoline Hearth Inserts in San Francisco and Hawyard, California appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.