On the same day a judge advanced the proposal to shrink a fine against PG&E for shoddy record keeping, the utility reported itself to state regulators for failing -- due to flawed records -- to inspect gas pipe safety equipment on the Peninsula.

Because of a maintenance record error, Pacific Gas & Electric didn't check the amount of electric current running through segments of 8-inch gas pipes in Burlingame and San Carlos between October and January, the utility wrote Wednesday in a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission. The electric current protects the pipes from corrosion and must be checked six times a year, with no more than 75 days between inspections.

"We take all violations seriously and are reviewing the report and evaluating any next steps," said PUC spokesman Terrie Prosper.

Meanwhile, a state administrative judge proposed Wednesday fining PG&E $3 million for its shoddy record keeping, which drew intense scrutiny after the deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno. That amount was part of a deal struck in the spring between the utility and PUC that later fell apart.

However, the bargain was revived this week and allowed the utility to avoid a much larger penalty. The PUC's executive director had originally proposed a fine of $1 million for each day PG&E couldn't produce pipeline safety records. The $3 million proposal must still be approved by the full commission.

In their final report

As for the troubles with the Peninsula lines, a records supervisor noticed the mistake and the electric current was checked Jan. 27. Workers realized the voltage running through the lines had fallen below the amount required by federal law. PG&E spokesman Brian Swanson said the equipment has been fixed and there was no damage to the pipes.

The problem began when PG&E missed a December 2011 inspection of the electric protection system on the pipes. The issue was discovered by a records supervisor, who set off a chain of events that led to the lines being checked Jan. 27. PG&E says the error happened because the maintenance schedule for the pipes' electric system was misfiled when the utility switched from paper to electronic records sometime after October.

Burlingame City Manager Jim Nantell said PG&E has notified him of the problem and he applauded the utility's effort at transparency.

"I'm concerned that they missed it, but they have since inspected the pipe and didn't find anything," Nantell said. "Now, we get to make sure they are doing what they're supposed to."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Joshua Melvin at 650-348-4335.