The Los Angeles City Council this month urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to initiate an accelerated plan to close the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage field. 

Aliso

The council passed a resolution to close the Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) 86 Bcf field, site of the nation’s largest methane leak in October 2015.

The city council resolution referenced a 2021-22 legislative program to reduce “the need for Aliso Canyon and its eventual decommissioning.” It urged Newsom to direct the California Division of Geologic and Energy Management and the California Public Utilities Commission to accelerate plans to close the site. 

However, SoCal Gas said the storage facility should remain open. “Our Aliso Canyon storage facility continues to play a vital role in the resiliency of...