The California Public Utilities Commission outlined a plan Wednesday to consider eventually shutting down Southern California Gas Co.’s Aliso Canyon fossil gas storage facility north of Los Angeles.
What happened: The utility regulator released a proposed decision to look into closing the facility once demand for natural gas falls to a certain level — most likely after 2030.
If the commission votes for the decision on Dec. 19, the CPUC will begin assessing every other year whether SoCalGas can lower natural gas inventory levels at Aliso Canyon. It will recommend that the utility do so if it doesn’t compromise energy reliability or reasonable rates.
When the Southern California natural gas demand forecast for two years out falls below 4.1 million metric cubic feet per day — the point at which the CPUC says energy needs can be met without Aliso Canyon — the CPUC can open a proceeding to close the facility. SoCalGas’ 2024 California Gas Report says that likely won’t happen until after 2030.
