Letter to the California Public Utilities Commission - Congressman Sherman Pushes CPUC to Reject Plans to Expand Storage at the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility/Urges Permanent Closure of Site

Letter

Dear Commissioners,

I'm writing today to urge you to reject the proposals currently before the Commission that would
increase the storage capacity limits at the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility in the San
Fernando Valley.

Rather than increase pressure within the same facility that six years ago became the site ofthe
nation's largest methane blowout, I again urge you to act swiftly and to take additional measures
to permanently close Aliso Canyon.

As you are aware, for four months beginning in late 20 1 5, thousands oftons ofmethane and a
mixture of chemicals poured uncontrollably from Aliso Canyon and into San Fernando Valley
neighborhoods, forcing the displacement ofmore than 8,000 families; the closure oftwo local
schools for the duration ofthe school year; and causing countless residents continued health
effects more than six years later.

Following the blow-out, former Governor Brown, with the support ofthe California Energy
Commission (CEC), directed the development of a plan to permanently close Aliso Canyon by
2027. In 201 9, citing community safety concerns, Governor Newsom reiterated this direction,
asking that the CPUC take additional actions to produce the fastest path for closing the facility.
It seems a poor indication ofthe progress towards the closure of Aliso Canyon, that the
Commission is this week entertaining proposals for expanding its use.

As a resident of Porter Ranch, who lives as close as anyone to the site ofthe blowout, I urge you
to reject these proposals and to work swifily to permanently close the Aliso Canyon natural gas
storage facility.
You should deny the application to increase pressure and storage at the Aliso Canyon facility.
Instead, you should order Southern California Gas to submit expeditiously a plan to shut-down
the facility while maintaining reliable service to consumers and businesses.

Sincerely,

Source