For Immediate Release

Ventura, CA –  According to a new scoping memo, the California Public Utilities Commission has ordered SoCalGas to remove anticipated charges for its expansion of a controversial gas compressor station from its General Rate Case, ensuring local customers won’t pay for the expansion before it’s fully approved. The investor-owned utility had initially applied for the compressor’s inclusion in its General Rate Case, a document that outlines plans for customer rate increases and breaks down the cost by project. 

In August 2021, the CPUC halted the expansion of the controversial site until SoCalGas could conduct environmental review and thorough community engagement. The utility has since begun work on the expansion despite having yet to meet the standards issued by the CPUC. 

“It’s a relief to know SoCalGas won’t be able to charge its customers for an unapproved expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure that the community doesn’t want or need,” said Food & Water Watch Central Coast Organizing Manager Tomás Rebecchi. “For too long SoCalGas has cut corners to avoid the environmental review demanded by Ventura’s Westside community and mandated by the Public Utilities Commission. But today’s decision gives us hope that SoCalGas will be held accountable for trying to push this project forward with no local support and that the PUC will require an independent Environmental Impact Report.”

The compressor station at 1555 N. Olive Street sits only yards away from the E.P. Foster Elementary School and Boys & Girls Club — well within the 3,200 foot health and safety buffer zone recently established by SB 1137 as mandatory between fossil fuel infrastructure sites and community sites. The compressor, however, is exempt from those regulations — much like its SoCalGas’ other gas storage facilities, including Aliso Canyon. Sempra, SoCalGas’ parent company, spent $2.4 million this year alone lobbying Sacramento and the Governor’s office.

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Contact: Jessica Gable, [email protected], (202) 683-2478 

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