Distribution Pipelines Emissions Map

SoCalGas Distribution Mains & Services Methane Emissions Map

SoCalGas is providing customers with a consolidated, searchable map that demonstrates Distribution Mains and Services methane emissions data collected since 2016. The data is collected through the company's various routine surveying practices and operational and maintenance practices of its distribution pipeline system. The data is updated on an annual basis (June- July) to include the datasets of future years.

SoCalGas Efforts to Reduce Distribution Mains & Services Methane Emissions

We have a long-standing commitment to modernizing our system infrastructure to increase safety and reliability and reduce methane emissions. We continually use the best management practices and technology to minimize & detect emissions. Some of the most effective steps we have taken include:

• Prioritizing Leak Repair 

  In the past, SoCalGas would focus solely on repairing leaks that posed the greatest safety risk. However, in our ongoing efforts to decrease methane emissions, while still maintaining safety as foundational, we have developed and implemented a decision tree method to include prioritizing leaks.

• Leak Mitigation 

  In the past, SoCalGas would focus solely on repairing leaks that posed the greatest safety risk. However, in our ongoing efforts to decrease methane emissions, while still maintaining safety as foundational, we have developed and implemented a decision tree method to include prioritizing leaks.

• Accelerating Leak Surveys 

  SoCalGas has historically conducted leak surveys on distribution lines to promote safety and compliance with state and federal regulations. To increase the resilience and robustness of the system, the company continuously evaluates and enhances leak surveys across distribution pipelines. In 2020, SoCalGas implemented a project with the aim of identifying leaks earlier and defining risk metrics to determine the frequency of surveys. As a result, some pipelines are now surveyed annually, compared to the previous interval of every three years. This program has enabled the company to survey over 65% of its pipelines annually, compared to only 34% before the project was implemented. With these adjusted efforts, SoCalGas is now able to detect 94% of leaks through leak surveys.

• Aerial Methane Mapping Technology 

  Since 2021, SoCalGas has implemented the Aerial Methane Mapping Program that utilizes aerial technology to scan our distribution pipelines for potential leaks. However, as an added benefit, the technology also detects potential leaks on customer facilities. This innovative approach has resulted in a significant increase in the speed and frequency with which leaks can be identified and repaired, enabling SoCalGas to better assess and enhance their mitigation efforts. In addition to identifying leaks on our own pipelines, the program has also enabled the detection of potential leaks on customer lines and equipment. If a leak is detected, SoCalGas employees work with our customers to identify and eliminate the leak. Since its implementation, the program has successfully eliminated hundreds of customer leaks, resulting in lower emissions from both SoCalGas' pipelines and customers' facilities.

Working with state and federal agencies

For close to 30 years we have been protectively working to reduce GHG and methane emissions through the EPA's Natural Gas Star Program. Since 2017, we have been a partner in EPA’s Methane Challenge, another voluntary GHG reporting and reduction program. SB 32 (Pavley, 2006) requires a 60% reduction of GHG emissions below 1990 levels by 2030.

In addition to our voluntary program efforts, we also have our Leak Abatement Program to reduce methane emissions in compliance with SB 1371, which mandates gas utilities to reduce methane emissions by 20% of their 2015 baseline by 2025.