Aliso Canyon Gas Storage Facility Faces Potential Shutdown Amid Community Concerns
The Aliso Canyon gas storage facility, site of the largest natural gas leak in U.S. history nearly a decade ago, may be on the path towards closure. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently unveiled a proposal suggesting that the facility could be phased out as demand for natural gas declines in Southern California, thanks to a shift toward renewable energy. However, local activists and politicians express skepticism about the timeline, calling the proposal vague and insufficiently urgent.
The catastrophic leak in late 2015 forced around 8,000 families to evacuate their homes due to severe health issues, raising ongoing community demand for closure. The CPUC’s plan indicates a review of potential closure would only occur when the peak demand forecast drops below 4,121 million metric cubic feet per day. Current forecasts predict a decline to 4,197 million by 2030 but show no imminent closure in sight.
Local representatives, including Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, have criticized the CPUC for neglecting the health implications of continued operations at Aliso Canyon. Advocacy groups argue that the facility’s continued use poses significant health risks to the surrounding residents.
In the wake of the 2016 incident, SoCalGas implemented several safety measures and has faced scrutiny over its role in the ongoing community distress. Although there are discussions about the facility’s future at a December 19 commission meeting, residents and activists remain concerned that the lack of a clear timeframe for closure reflects a disregard for public health.
As the debate continues, community voices call for a more straightforward and immediate approach to addressing the threats posed by Aliso Canyon, emphasizing the need for a swift and decisive plan to ensure the well-being of those affected by its operations.
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