LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The California Public Utilities Commission is considering two proposals today regarding the SoCalGas Aliso Canyon storage facility, site of the worst natural gas leak in the nation, and whether its capacity will be increased.
The two proposals up for consideration are one that would increase the storage limit to 100% of its allowable capacity at 68.6 billion cubic feet and one that would set the limit at 60% at 41.6 billion cubic feet. Indicated Shippers, a group of oil companies, including California Resources Corporation, Chevron, Phillips 66 and Tesoro, made the requests to increase storage limits at the Aliso Canyon facility.
In 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom directed the CPUC to expedite the closure of Aliso Canyon. The L.A. City Council and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors have also voted to shutting down the Aliso Canyon facility immediately.
Independent investigations indicate that increasing storage limits will not materially improve energy reliability this winter, and countered data used by the gas industry and the CPUC.
The CPUC is meeting virtually today at 10 a.m. to vote on the gas storage increase proposals at Aliso Canyon. Members of environmental advocacy groups, Food & Water Watch, Save Porter Ranch, Aliso Moms Alliance, Sunrise Movement Los Angeles, Extinction Rebellion Los Angeles, public health professionals and community health advocates are expected to make public comments during the meeting.