LOS ANGELES, Dec. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California
Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced that more than 110 local
governments across Southern
California, representing approximately 8 million people,
have passed resolutions in support of affordable and balanced
strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The resolutions urge
policymakers to safeguard consumers' ability to choose natural gas,
propane, or electric appliances for their homes and businesses.
They were passed in response to concerns that state agencies are
being called upon to take steps to prohibit the use of affordable
natural gas in buildings.
"Advances in renewable natural gas and hydrogen technologies
mean that we can meet our climate goals without sacrificing the
reliability and resilience of our energy systems and without
forcing people to give up their gas stoves, board up their
fireplaces and take on costly renovations," said Sharon Tomkins, SoCalGas vice president of
strategy and engagement and chief environmental officer. "To
meet its ambitious environmental goals, California needs clean gas working together
with clean electricity, and most importantly we cannot lose sight
of affordability."
A growing number of experts, including researchers at
Stanford University, University of California, Irvine, and Lawrence Livermore Labs, have raised concerns
that the electrification of buildings, alone, could undercut the
state's environmental goals, while making basic utility services
less reliable and more expensive.
"Renewable gases can increase people's use of renewable
energy and combat climate change—and we can't become carbon neutral
without them," said Dr. Jack Brouwer, Director of the
National Fuel Cell Research Center at University of California, Irvine. "These
renewable gases are easily stored in the pipelines and also provide
a complementary way to deliver renewable energy that will be more
reliable and resilient than using the electric grid alone."
The Energy Futures Initiative (EFI), a research center founded
by former US Secretary of Energy Ernest J.
Moniz, reached similar conclusions. In a 2019 report on
the pathways for achieving deep decarbonization in California, EFI found that meeting
California's environmental goals
will require a range of clean energy pathways, including clean
fuels like renewable natural gas (RNG), hydrogen and biofuels.
"Once we realized what was at stake—the lack of affordable
energy options, the loss of local control, and the negative impacts
to businesses and residents who rely on natural gas—we knew we had
to act. When it comes to energy, our residents deserve choice,"
said La Habra City Councilman
Tim Shaw.
"The cost of living in Southern
California is already too expensive for most of the families
I represent," said South Gate
Mayor Belen Bernal. "Switching
to electricity-only would mean higher utility bills that people
just can't afford. Maintaining a balanced approach is important for
my community."
"The simple process of converting our organic wastes, yard
trimmings, and food waste into a recycled natural gas can
significantly reduce our overall carbon emissions, and yet, the
energy discussion is often dominated by the idea of total
electrification," said Temecula Councilmember Matt Rahn. "As
we plan for California's energy
future, we must realize that electrification is not the only
solution, and certainly not something that everyone can
afford."
"Mandating a move to a singular utility model loses sight of the
financial burden it will create in many Californians' homes," said
Upland City Councilmember Ricky Felix. "It would also be
irresponsible to not have different types of utilities available,
especially in emergency situations which would put residents at
risk."
"People should have the choice of what energy source they
use—and many prefer natural gas because it's more affordable," said
Port Hueneme Mayor Will Berg. "In addition, to keep energy
reliable and affordable it makes sense to not put all your eggs in
one basket."
"Most residents use natural gas to heat and cook in their homes,
so it makes sense to reduce emissions by replacing natural gas with
renewable natural gas," said Tulare
County Supervisor Pete
VanderPoele. "And using RNG offers the opportunity
to further develop this new green energy business right here among
the dairies in the Central Valley. We should all want to bring new
investment to our state and this region."
Today, more than 90 percent of homes in Southern California rely on natural gas for
space and water heating or cooking. In surveys, Southern
Californians regularly report they prefer natural gas for cooking,
and home and water heating by a margin of 4 to 1, citing its
affordability.
Last year, a study by Navigant Consulting found that
replacing 20 percent of the natural gas California uses today with renewable natural
gas could reduce emissions equal to making every building in the
state electric-only, but at half the cost.
A separate study published last year by the California
Building Industry Association (CBIA) found that replacing natural
gas appliances in California homes
with electric models could lead to more than $7,200 in upfront costs and an annual increase in
household energy costs of more than $850.
A survey of registered voters published by CBIA at the time
found that more than two-thirds of Californians oppose regulations
that would eliminate natural gas use in homes and businesses. More
than 80 percent opposed if eliminating natural gas resulted in
higher utility bills.
SoCalGas has committed to replacing 20 percent of the natural
gas the company purchases with renewable natural gas by 2030 – as
part of a broad, inclusive and integrated plan to help achieve
California's ambitious climate
goals.
To view a list of the local governments that have passed
balanced energy resolutions, click here.
About SoCalGas
Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas® is
the largest natural gas distribution utility in the
United States. SoCalGas delivers
affordable, reliable, clean and increasingly renewable natural gas
service to 21.8 million customers across 24,000 square
miles of Central and Southern California, where more than
90 percent of residents use natural gas for heating, hot water,
cooking, drying clothes or other uses. Natural gas delivered
through the company's pipelines also plays a key role in providing
electricity to Californians— about 45 percent of electric
power generated in the state comes from gas-fired power
plants.
SoCalGas' vision is to be the cleanest natural gas utility in
North America, delivering
affordable and increasingly renewable energy to its customers. In
support of that vision, SoCalGas is committed to replacing 20
percent of its traditional natural gas supply with renewable
natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from
waste created by dairy farms, landfills and wastewater treatment
plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its natural gas
system infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for our
customers. From 2014 through 2018, the company invested
nearly $6.5 billion to upgrade and modernize its natural
gas system to enhance safety and reliability. SoCalGas is a
subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), an energy
services holding company based in San Diego. For more
information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with
SoCalGas
on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas)
and Facebook.
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SOURCE Southern California Gas Company