A public hearing was held early Thursday evening in Palo Alto to discuss steps PG&E is taking to safeguard its natural gas pipelines.

The discussion about pipeline safety at Palo Alto City Hall found many in attendance giving PG&E an earful about their concerns.

While the city of Palo Alto has its own utility, several major PG&E transmission lines similar to the one that ruptured in San Bruno run beneath Palo Alto streets.

State Assemblyman Jerry Hill, whose district includes San Bruno, hosted the forum. Hill has been an outspoken critic of PG&E safety oversight ever since the fatal pipeline explosion on Sept. 9, 2010 blast, 2010, which killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes in the San Francisco suburb.

"From the San Bruno explosion in 2010, to last year's explosion in a Cupertino condo complex, it has become clear that this is a critical safety issue in San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, and throughout the Bay Area and the state," Hill said.

PG&E is getting the chance to update the public on how it has changed in the wake of that devastating day, Hill said.

"We have new leadership, new programs, new practices, we're doing a comprehensive overhaul," said PG&E spokesman Brian Swanson.

Hill said the utility has made important improvements.

"I think the change in culture that we've seen at PG&E is a great step forward," Hill said.

As the San Bruno Community continues to rebuild, one resident said he doesn't know if the Bay Area is any safer.

“They've got to do all of the testing. They would start doing some testing in the East Bay and then we haven't heard any more," said Fred Gillen of San Bruno.

PG&E officials said they tested 160 miles of pipeline last year, and will test another 180 miles this year.

"We have a lot of work scheduled this year to continue that effort, we're going to continue it for several years going forward," Swanson said.

Hill also criticized the head of the state Public Utilities Commission, Michael Peevey, for making the decision whether to fine PG&E himself, while it was his PUC that was in charge when the explosion happened.