Despite vehement opposition from many nearby residents, the California Public Utilities Commission Thursday approved an increase in allowable storage capacity at the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage facility near Porter Ranch, site of the largest gas leak in U.S. history.
On a 5-0 vote, the CPUC agreed to allow up to 68.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas to be stored at the facility. The previous cap was 41.1 billion cubic feet.
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“In light of information provided by parties to the proceeding regarding high natural gas prices in winter 2022-23, the Proposed Decision finds that it is necessary to modify the maximum storage level to protect natural gas and electricity customers from reliability and economic impacts during winter 2023-24, as requested by Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E),” CPUC wrote.
The CPUC said this would be done “on an interim basis” and “will not impact progress in the proceeding towards phasing out the need for Aliso Canyon.”
Still, some residents in Porter Ranch told KNX News’ Jon Baird it is time for Aliso Canyon to be shut down, even though the facility is expected to close in 2027.
“We’re pretty upset,” one woman said. “They need to shut down. They need to shut it down now.”
“There is no reason for that to stay open,” one man said.
Alexandra Nagy, the California director of Food and Water Watch, said there are still ongoing issues with Aliso Canyon.
“It's still leaking methane- which is a potent greenhouse gas - and other cancer-causing chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde daily,” she said. “And Governor Newsom has promised it would be shut down, and instead, under his watch, the Public Utilities Commission is ramping up Aliso Canyon usage.”
The gas leak was first discovered by SoCaGas crews on Oct. 23, 2015 and sealed on Feb. 13, 2016. The leak forced almost 10,000 Porter Ranch residents to evacuate.
Following the leak, “people in neighboring communities experienced "rotten egg" odors, oily mists, and acute health symptoms, including eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and respiratory symptoms,” according to the L.A. Public Health Department.
The Public Health Department added that after residents returned home after the gas leak, they reported ongoing health issues and voiced concerns about possible “long-term health effects.”
On Sept. 27, 2021. SoCalGas agreed to a $1.8 billion settlement to 35,000 victims of the leak. On Aug. 10, 2023, SoCalGas agreed to pay $71 million to the Aliso Canyon Recovery Account.
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