Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Why SoCal Gas Wants You To Just Chill When It's Cold Outside
A sign marking the boundary of the Aliso Canyon storage facility is pictured in Porter Ranch, California, Jan. 6, 2016. (Jonathan Alcorn/AFP/Getty Images)
()
The ongoing cold weather has made it difficult for the Southern California Gas Company to keep enough gas flowing. It now seems a broken pipeline at its big storage field near Porter Ranch made the situation worse.
On Feb. 5, an above-ground pipeline at SoCal Gas' Aliso Canyon storage field was found to be corroded and needed repairs. That reduced any withdrawals of gas to serve homes and businesses or to send out to utilities.
So, for three cold days early this month, with night temperatures dropping to the 40s, utilities were forced to cut the amount of gas they could receive to run their power plants.
SoCal Gas had already been pleading with consumers to lower their thermostats to conserve gas. The utility asked for "Dial it Down" alerts 29 days this year.
Support for LAist comes from
Ever since the disastrous 2015 leak at Aliso, state regulators have limited how much gas is stored there. Withdrawals are supposed to occur only as a last resort to prevent a shortage.
But that "last resort" scenario has happened repeatedly this year. SoCal Gas has withdrawn 6.6 billion cubic feet of gas over 19 separate days.
That's about a quarter of the 28 billion cubic feet of gas company has pulled out of its four combined storage fields this year. Aliso Canyon is the biggest gas field and most convenient to the L.A. Basin. The other fields are at Playa del Rey, Honor Rancho near Valencia and Goleta in Santa Barbara County.
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the effect of the broken pipe on withdrawals of gas. LAist regrets the error.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist