Jesus Soto, PG&E's Senior Vice President of Gas Operations, has been elected to the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2016. CGA is a member-driven association of 1,700 individuals, organizations and sponsors advocating safe digging practices across the underground utility industry.

"Jesus' twenty-plus year experience with pipeline safety makes him a perfect fit for our board of directors. We know that his leadership and commitment to public and employee safety will help our members achieve our goal of preventing damage to underground infrastructure," said Bob Kipp, president, The Common Ground Alliance.

PG&E has earned ISO 55000 and PAS 55001 international certifications for the company's enhancements in gas asset management and was recently recognized as the first company in the U.S. to meet the American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice (API RP 1173), a new industry gold standard for pipeline safety and safety culture. Over the last three years, PG&E has seen declines in excavation-related damages to its underground gas and electric infrastructure.

"I am humbled to join the board of directors for an organization that has a positive impact on public safety. Excavation damage continues to be a leading cause of pipeline incidents. As underground utility operators we have a shared responsibility to educate and promote safe and effective damage prevention practices and I'm looking forward to working with the other board members and the members of CGA to further advance the industry," Soto said.