There have been several electrical transformer explosions in Bernal Heights recently, and PG&E’s equipment has been responsible for the accidents.
In 2013, a transformer exploded on Coleridge. Last September, another transformer exploded on Heyman Avenue, leaving two people with serious injuries. Throw in a disheartening series of blackouts, and confidence in PG&E’s Bernal Heights infrastructure is at a low ebb.
On Thursday afternoon, Dec 3, 2015 , District 9 Supervisor David Campos will hold a hearing in City Hall to investigate the safety of PG&E’s systems. His legislative aide, Sheila Chung Hagen, tells Bernalwood:
In response to the September PG&E transformer explosion in Bernal Heights that injured two people, Supervisor Campos called for a public hearing to understand what happened in Bernal Heights and what is happening across the city with PG&E’s transformers. Through the hearing, we want to learn what happened, and what safety measures will be put in place to ensure no harm comes to the public again.
What: A hearing on measures to ensure public safety around Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Company Transformers citywide
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2015
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee (Room 250, City Hall
Agenda: Here (See Item 2)
PHOTOS: The SFFD responds to the scene of a Dec. 8, 2013 PG&E transformer explosion on Bocana that left a PG&E employee badly burned. Photos courtesy of a Bernal Heights neighbor.
Bernalwood 
Todd, you might want to correct the date you first list in your post. Should be 12/3, not 12/8. Thanks for this info.
Corrected! Thank you.
Hi, I can not attend this hearing but I hope that someone mentions that the transformer on the corner of Moultrie and Powhattan was smoking and having electrical arcs emitted approximately a year ago. It was very scary and a real fire hazard. Luckily we have an electrician who lives on Moultrie and he took charge of the scene until emergencies crews could respond. The transformer was replaced. However this incident adds to the pattern of dangerous transformers in the Bernal Heights neighborhood.
On Winfield @ Cortland we have power failures several times a month, typically at around 7 in the morning. They are brief and, oddly, at about the same time every time they happen.
For those of you interested in the hearing and comments from PG&E, the Public Utilities Commission and the Fire department, here’s a video link: http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=178&clip_id=24236. Valerie and Brian, thank you for your comments. Supervisor Campos shared them during the beginning of the hearing.