California Public Utility Commission Votes to Keep Aliso Canyon Gas Storage Facility Open

On Dec. 19, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to approve a decision that could keep the controversial Aliso Canyon gas storage facility in Los Angeles County open indefinitely, despite the promises of two California Governor’s to shut the facility down. 

The SoCalGas-operated underground facility, located in the Santa Susana Mountains near the community of Porter Ranch, was the site of the largest methane blowout in U.S history in October 2015. It is at risk from earthquakes due to nearby faults.  

In a statement, the CPUC said the decision creates “a transparent pathway” to reassess the need for Southern California Gas Company’s (SoCalGas) Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility “while maintaining reliability and reasonable rates as demand for natural gas declines.” 

“Today’s decision establishes for the first time a specific natural gas peak day demand target, which is the level at which Southern California natural gas demand can be served without Aliso Canyon,” the CPUC said.

“When forecasted peak day demand for two years out decreases to the target level and an assessment shows that Aliso Canyon could be closed without jeopardizing reliability or just and reasonable rates, the CPUC will open a proceeding to review the assessment’s conclusions and address any relevant issues related to permanent closure and decommissioning,” the Commission stated.  

Food & Water Watch Southern California Senior Organizer Andrea Vega condemned the CPUC decision in a statement.

“For nearly a decade, California’s governors have made every promise to shut Aliso Canyon down, while quietly doing the opposite,” said Vega. “Sadly, Governor Newsom and his CPUC have once again shown that they’re no different. Newsom’s Administration has repeatedly, and shamelessly, expanded Aliso Canyon over the years while parroting industry’s false claims.”

“This unnecessary facility was closed for two years with no shortages. This decision is cowardly, despicable, and ultimately only kicks the can down the road. Not only is this a slap in the face to the residents living near the facility, but it is a warning for all of us. We desperately need leaders who stand up to corporate greed  and Governor Newsom has shown today that he isn’t that leader,” Vega argued.

Since the beginning this year, over 150 organizations, impacted community members, over 100 scientists have implored Governor Newsom to shut down Aliso Canyon, according to Vega. In addition, in the past few months, over 40,000 petition signatures and messages have been sent to Governor Newsom on this. 

Just before the meeting, a coalition of environmental justice, climate and community groups rallied on the steps of the CPUC to demand that it “puts ratepayers first and addresses the toxic facilities that are threatening Californians, including Aliso Canyon.” After the rally concluded, attendees went to the CPUC meeting to provide public comments.

Governor Newsom had previously directed his appointed Commissioners in 2019 to expedite the shut down of the facility sooner than his predecessor Governor Brown’s proposed 2027 closure.

Residents of the region impacted by the blow out in 2015 expressed their anger with the initial decision — now final — by the CPUC to keep Aliso Canyon open.

“When Governor Newsom promised me to my face – twice – that he was going to shut down Aliso Canyon, this is not what he meant,” said Deirdre Bolona of Aliso Moms Alliance. “When he told me its closure needed to be expedited, he didn’t talk about a process that could extend its operation indefinitely. Our community – including children – suffered greatly as a result of the massive blowout – now over 9 years ago. Many in our community continue to suffer health consequences.” 

“Due to health issues, I have been pushed out of my community and am now living in New York, but I would like to come home to California,” said Jane Fowler of Aliso Moms Alliance. “My health has improved since I’ve been gone and while it feels good to feel better, I am scared to go back home to California.”

“On one of my recent visits back to my home, I ended up in the emergency room. I was one of the residents who personally spoke with the Governor – he promised me that he would close down Aliso Canyon. Where is he in all of this? He wants to talk about climate and here is an excellent opportunity to actually prove his commitment. Governor Newsom must keep his promise to my community so I can come home,” Fowler added.

Kyoko Hibino and Matt Pakucko of Save Porter Ranch concluded, “It feels like everything that we’ve done hasn’t done anything to impact Governor Newsom. The CPUC has shown once again that they cannot be trusted. We also cannot trust Newsom to protect health or climate. He recently called for a special session to protect our climate, but not our health, and both can be accomplished by shutting down the unneeded Aliso Canyon. This keeps getting worse.” 

Background from Wikipedia:

The Aliso Canyon gas leak (also called Porter Ranch gas leak^[1] and Porter Ranch gas blowout^[2]) was a massive methane leak in the Santa Susana Mountains near the neighborhood of Porter Ranch in the city of Los Angeles, California. Discovered on October 23, 2015,^[3] gas was escaping from a well within the Aliso Canyon underground storage facility.^[4] This second-largest gas storage facility of its kind in the United States belongs to the Southern California Gas Company (SoCal Gas), a subsidiary of Sempra Energy. On January 6, 2016, Governor Jerry Brownissued a state of emergency.^[5] On February 11, the gas company reported that it had the leak under control.^[6] On February 18, state officials announced that the leak was permanently plugged.

An estimated 97,100 tonnes (95,600 long tons; 107,000 short tons) of methane and 7,300 tonnes (7,200 long tons; 8,000 short tons) of methane were released into the atmosphere.^[7] The initial effect of the release increased the estimated 5.3 Gt of methane in the Earth's atmosphere by about 0.002%, diminishing to half that in 6–8 years.

It was widely reported to have been the worst single natural gas leak in U.S. history in terms of its environmental impact.^[8][9][10]

The entire rest of the South Coast Air Basin combined, with a population of about 18 million people, emits approximately 413,000 tonnes of methane and 23,000 tonnes of ethane annually.^[11] The Aliso gas leak's carbon footprint could be larger than the Deepwater Horizonoil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.^[12]

In comparison, a remote sensing satellite found that the Raspadskaya coal mine is releasing 762,120 metric tons, or 832,200 short tons, of methane every year, with no remediation planned.^[13]