An adminsitrative law judge will decide next week whether to suspend hearings over how much PG&E should be fined for the natural gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno.

The California Public Utilities Commission filed a motion on Friday agreeing with PG&E that the hearings should be halted for 30 days. The CPUC says a suspension would give more time to work out a settlement agreement with PG&E over penalties, pipeline upgrade costs and safety plans.

San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane says PG&E and the CPUC owe it to the people of San Bruno to conduct public hearings. "This maneuvering overshadows the fact that eight people lost their lives. Thirty-eight homes were destroyed, a neighborhood in turmoil, a city that won’t recover--if it recovers--for many many years. That’s what bothers me," Ruane says.

A lawyer for the CPUC says public groups like The Utility Reform Network are invited to negotiate. He says a settlement would resolve the case quicker than months of litigation. If a decision isn’t made in 30 days, hearings would resume.