Overview
PG&E - Sutter Buttes Compressor Station is a natural gas pipeline compressor station in Sutter County, California. It supports the regional gas transmission network operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
PG&E - Sutter Buttes Compressor Station is a natural gas pipeline compressor station located in Sutter County, California, along West Butte Road off Highway 20. The facility is part of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's extensive natural gas transmission system, which serves millions of customers across Northern and Central California. As a compressor station, it maintains pressure and flow within the pipeline network, ensuring reliable gas delivery to residential, commercial, and industrial users. The station operates under the regulatory oversight of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and complies with 49 CFR Part 192 for gas pipeline safety. PG&E's gas transmission system includes thousands of miles of pipeline and multiple compressor stations, with this facility playing a key role in maintaining system integrity and capacity. The station's equipment includes gas compressors, cooling systems, and safety controls typical of midstream natural gas infrastructure. Environmentally, the station is situated in an agricultural region near the Sutter Buttes, a prominent geological feature. Its operations are subject to air quality regulations from the California Air Resources Board and local districts, focusing on emissions from compressor engines. The facility contributes to energy reliability for the region, supporting heating, power generation, and industrial processes. Regular inspections and maintenance programs align with PHMSA's integrity management requirements to minimize risks.
Environmental context
The compressor station is located in an agricultural area near the Sutter Buttes, a volcanic formation. Natural gas compressor stations typically have air emissions from engines, which are regulated under the Clean Air Act and California's stringent air quality rules. The facility's proximity to rural communities and farmland necessitates careful management of noise and emissions. Pipeline safety regulations require leak detection and cathodic protection to prevent corrosion and environmental releases.
Frequently asked questions
The compressor station is located in Sutter County, California, on West Butte Road off Highway 20, near the Sutter Buttes.
It is a natural gas compressor station that maintains pressure and flow in PG&E's gas transmission pipeline system, ensuring reliable gas delivery to customers.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under DOT regulates gas pipelines and compressor stations via 49 CFR Part 192, with state oversight from agencies like the California Public Utilities Commission.
Safety measures include leak detection systems, cathodic protection for corrosion control, emergency shutdown valves, and regular inspections per PHMSA integrity management requirements.
The station's compressor engines produce air emissions regulated by the California Air Resources Board. Noise and visual impacts are managed through siting and operational controls, and pipeline safety programs prevent leaks.
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