Newsom Announces Closure of Gas Storage Facility After Regulators Vote to Postpone Operations
California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the commission ‘established a sensible approach’ to safeguard residents while decreasing dependency on the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Facility.
The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, emphasized the necessity of shutting down the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Facility, which forced the evacuation of thousands of households in 2015 following the largest methane leak recorded in the United States. This statement comes after regulators voted on Thursday to postpone the facility’s closure.
“Aliso Canyon must be permanently closed, but we must ensure that working families are not burdened with soaring utility expenses,” Newsom remarked about the underground gas storage site situated in the Santa Susana Mountains, approximately 28 miles north of Los Angeles.
“The process of reducing reliance on this facility has been slower than I had hoped, yet the Public Utilities Commission—an independent constitutional entity—has laid out a logical plan that safeguards residents near the site without causing turmoil in the natural gas market.”
The regulators chose to methodically decrease the Southern California area’s dependence on the facility.
In October 2015, the natural gas storage wells at Aliso Canyon malfunctioned, releasing 120,000 metric tons of methane and other gases into the atmosphere over the San Fernando Valley. This incident resulted in residents suffering from headaches, vomiting, nausea, and nosebleeds. Southern California Gas Co., which operates Aliso Canyon, managed to seal the 60-year-old well after 118 days.
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Aliso Canyon is California’s largest natural gas field and among the largest in the nation. Constructed in the 1950s to extract oil from beneath the Santa Susana Mountains, the well was largely depleted by the 1970s. Subsequently, it was transformed into a natural gas storage facility with an 86 billion cubic feet storage capacity. At the time of the leak, it was nearly at full capacity, with 48 out of the 116 wells exceeding 60 years of age.
In a statement issued last week, Newsom reassured nearby communities that, despite proposals to keep Aliso Canyon operational, their safety remains the primary concern. He also mentioned that the state is collaborating with local and federal partners to guarantee the facility’s safety through new protocols and thorough testing. Newsom reiterated California’s commitment to diminishing fossil fuel dependence and advancing toward clean, renewable energy.
“We have accomplished more than any administration in history. Yet, we still have work ahead of us, including the complete closure of Aliso Canyon,” the governor noted.
Commissioners indicated that Thursday’s vote would enable regulators to progress towards a feasible and systematic closure of Aliso Canyon, which continues to represent the region’s principal energy source.
“This decision outlines a strategy for the closure of Aliso Canyon that is attainable, realistic, and supportive of families and businesses grappling with high energy bills,” stated CPUC President Alice Reynolds. “Significant advancements are being made to introduce clean energy resources and reduce reliance on natural gas-fired power plants.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
