SoCalGas Surpasses California's 2025 Methane Emissions Reduction Goals, Nears 2030 Goal
Jun 16, 2022
Company achieves 37% reduction of fugitive methane emissions in 2021
LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has submitted its annual fugitive emissions report to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The report shows that SoCalGas has significantly exceeded the state's 2025 goal for reducing fugitive methane emissions. SoCalGas reported that in 2021 it reduced fugitive methane emissions by 37% - passing the state's goal of a 20% reduction by 2025 and nearing the state's goal of a 40% reduction by 2030.
The company's success comes from significant innovation in new detection technologies. SoCalGas was the first utility in the nation to implement aerial methane mapping using helicopter-mounted LiDAR technology to detect leaks. The company also has begun using drones - including first-of-its-kind hydrogen-powered drone technology - to map and detect methane.
"It is a testament to our dedicated workforce that we have not only exceeded 2025 reduction goals, but also are quickly approaching 2030 goals as we continue to build the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy company in America," said Jimmie Cho, SoCalGas Chief Operating Officer.
Percentage calculations are based upon a 2015 emissions baseline. Utilities' progress toward state goals are tracked and reported via CPUC-mandated annual reports.
SoCalGas has made meaningful strides to reduce methane emissions since 2015, in addition to investments in leak detection technology.
Accomplishments include:
- Accelerated leak repairs relating to our aerial methane mapping program reduced methane emissions equivalent to avoiding 1,031 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted and incrementally increased the ability of detecting and repairing leaks faster
- SoCalGas accelerated its leak survey cycles from every three years to every year for certain types of pipe, leading to more prompt leak repairs further reducing methane emissions
- A 94% reduction in gas venting during maintenance or repairs when compared to 2015, which is equivalent to avoiding 39,432 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted
- A 92% reduction in emissions from SoCalGas storage facilities since 2015 due to upgrades in compressor and venting equipment
Last year, SoCalGas announced its aspiration to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and the energy it delivers by 2045 and earlier this year released its ASPIRE 2045 Sustainability Strategy to help reach that goal.
For more information about SoCalGas' sustainability efforts, please visit https://www.socalgas.com/sustainability.
About SoCalGas
SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States, serving more than 21 million consumers across approximately 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. Our mission is: Safe, Reliable, and Affordable energy delivery today. Ready for tomorrow. SoCalGas is a recognized leader in the energy industry and has been named Corporate Member of the Year by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce for its volunteer leadership in the communities it serves. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), a leading North American energy infrastructure company. For more information, visit SoCalGas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on social media @SoCalGas.
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Factors, among others, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement include: decisions, denials of cost recovery, audits, investigations, inquiries, ordered studies, regulations, denials or revocations of permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations, renewals of franchises, and other actions, including the failure to honor contracts and commitments, by the (i) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Internal Revenue Service and other regulatory bodies and (ii) U.S. and states, counties, cities and other jurisdictions therein where we do business; the success of business development efforts and construction projects, including risks related to (i) completing construction projects or other transactions on schedule and budget, (ii) realizing anticipated benefits from any of these efforts if completed, (iii) obtaining third-party consents and approvals and (iv) third parties honoring their contracts and commitments; changes to our capital expenditure plans and their potential impact on rate base or other growth; litigation, arbitration and other proceedings, and changes (i) to laws and regulations, including those related to tax, (ii) due to the results of elections, and (iii) in trade and other foreign policy, including the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. and foreign countries; cybersecurity threats, including by state and state-sponsored actors, of ransomware or other attacks on our systems or the systems of third parties with which we conduct business, including the energy grid or other energy infrastructure; the availability, uses, sufficiency, and cost of capital resources and our ability to borrow money or otherwise raise capital on favorable terms and meet our obligations, which can be affected by, among other things, (i) actions by credit rating agencies to downgrade our credit ratings or place those ratings on negative outlook, (ii) instability in the capital markets, and (iii) fluctuating interest rates and inflation; the impact on affordability of our customer rates and our cost of capital and on our ability to pass through higher costs to customers due to (i) volatility in inflation, interest rates and commodity prices and (ii) the cost of meeting the demand for lower carbon and reliable energy in California; the impact of climate policies, laws, rules, regulations, trends and required disclosures, including actions to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas, increased uncertainty in the political or regulatory environment for California natural gas distribution companies, the risk of nonrecovery for stranded assets, and uncertainty related to emerging technologies; weather, natural disasters, pandemics, accidents, equipment failures, explosions, terrorism, information system outages or other events, such as work stoppages, that disrupt our operations, damage our facilities or systems, cause the release of harmful materials or fires or subject us to liability for damages, fines and penalties, some of which may not be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms or insurance or may impact our ability to obtain satisfactory levels of affordable insurance; the availability of natural gas and natural gas storage capacity, including disruptions caused by failures in the pipeline and storage systems or limitations on the injection and withdrawal of natural gas from storage facilities; and other uncertainties, some of which are difficult to predict and beyond our control.
These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the reports that the company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports are available through the EDGAR system free-of-charge on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, and on Sempra’s website, www.sempra.com. Investors should not rely unduly on any forward-looking statements.
Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, Sempra Texas, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) and Infraestructura Energética Nova, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (IEnova) are not the same companies as the California utilities, San Diego Gas & Electric Company or Southern California Gas Company, and Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, Sempra Texas, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor and IEnova are not regulated by the CPUC.