Energy Agencies Release Draft Action Plan to Preserve Energy Reliability in Greater Los Angeles This Summer in Wake of Aliso Canyon Leak
State and local energy agencies released a plan to help preserve reliability of electrical service this summer in the greater Los Angeles area following the major natural gas leak at the Aliso Canyon underground natural gas storage facility. Aliso Canyon is prohibited from injecting and storing more gas until a comprehensive safety review is completed and the facility’s wells are deemed safe or removed from service.
The Aliso Canyon facility has operated for decades to provide gas to local customers and electric power plants, and has never before been constrained at current levels. A detailed technical assessment by the California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, California Independent System Operator, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power found that, without any use of Aliso Canyon gas supplies, the region faces up to 14 days this summer with gas shortages to electrical power plants that could be large enough to interrupt electrical service to utility customers.
In response to this risk, the four agencies identified actions to reduce the possibility of electrical interruptions including:
- Use of what is currently being stored: The use of 15 billion cubic feet of natural gas that was preserved in the Aliso Canyon facility, through order of the CPUC, for use during periods of peak demand to avoid energy interruptions.
- Conservation programs: Energy conservation programs, such as the “Flex Alert” campaign, will be needed to help local residents take action to avoid electric interruptions this summer. Flex Alert calls on residents and businesses to reduce their energy use on days during the summer when electricity demand is highest.
- Large consumer supply: It is recommended to closely match gas supply and demand by large gas customers.
The report concludes that the actions “will reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of gas shortages this summer that are large enough to cause electricity interruptions for the region’s residents and businesses.”
The Action Plan and companion Technical Assessment can be downloaded here. Additional information on government agencies response to Aliso Canyon can be found here.
The draft action plan will be discussed at a public workshop, which will be held Friday, April 8 in Woodland Hills. Find details about the public meeting here.
