CPUC reject SoCalGas’ North-South pipeline project

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has unanimously voted to deny approval for the construction of Southern California Gas' (SoCalGas) proposed North-South natural gas pipeline. The CPUC rejected the project because the company was unable to demonstrate the need for the pipeline.

The 65 mile, 36 in. dia. line was estimated to have cost approximately US$621.3 million, and would have travelled from the Adelanto compressor station to the Moreno Valley pressure limiting station.

The CPUC stated: “SoCalGas was unable to demonstrate that there is a need for the North-South project given that it would not bring additional gas into southern California, but merely provide a means for reallocation of existing supply.”

It has been stated by city officials that the pipeline project would have called for 8 ft trenches to be excavated through populated streets. This was estimated to have lasted a few years.

As a result, residents of the towns that would have been affected by the pipeline opposed the project.

Gill Snyder, a resident of San Bernardino stated: “This would have been a huge disruption for 40th Street, Valencia, Kendall. This was just absolute idiocy to pick this route.”

Upon the rejection, Melissa Bailey – a spokeswoman for SoCalGas – released a company statement, which described the company as being “profoundly disappointed” with the denial.

The statement continued: “We remain concerned about energy reliability for our southern system customers – homes, businesses and power plants in the high-growth areas of San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego and Imperial counties.”

Edited from various sources by Stephanie Roker

Sources: The Press Enterprise, Seeking Alpha, Hydrocarbons Technology

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/20072016/cpuc-reject-socalgas-north-south-pipeline-project/