Los Angeles – Today, residents of Porter Ranch, Food & Water Watch and Progressive Democrats of America launched a new phase in their nearly decade-long fight to shut down SoCalGas’ (a subsidiary of Sempra) Aliso Canyon gas storage facility, the site of the biggest methane blowout in U.S. history. These groups are joined by over 150 climate and environmental justice organizations from across the country and within California that signed onto a letter to Governor Newsom urging him to follow through on his commitments to the community and direct the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to set a firm closure deadline.  

In advance of the CPUC September 26 meeting, advocates and residents will call on Governor Newsom to set a firm timeline to shut down Aliso Canyon. The campaign will focus on building community pressure, mobilizing organizations across California and engaging elected officials.

Momentum is on the side of Aliso Canyon residents and environmentalists now. Just weeks ago, Big Oil’s industry group, California Independent Petroleum Association, dropped a ballot measure challenging California’s historic law that bans new oil drilling within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, and businesses. Yet, Big Oil spent millions in advertising and continues to do so. Further, a team from UCLA will be continuing their investigation of the health impacts of the gas leak and by moving forward with a resident health study and clinical assessments. UCLA research already documented a detrimental health impact of the 2015 blowout on pregnant women in the community.

“Big Oil heard the calls from Californians. It dropped its challenge to the historic oil and gas drilling setbacks law, because they knew they’d lose,” said Andrea Vega, Southern California Senior Organizer for Food & Water Watch. “Not only do we need to get oil drilling out of our neighborhoods, we also need to address other dangerous oil and gas facilities that threaten our communities. It’s far past the time for Governor Newsom to stop talking about California’s climate leadership on the national and global stage and take action to be a climate leader. He must immediately direct the CPUC to announce a date to shut down Aliso Canyon.” 

“We call on Governor Newsom to honor his commitment and announce a date when Aliso Canyon will be shut down,” said Patty Glueck, Co-Founder of Aliso Moms Alliance. “Aliso Canyon gas storage facility is hazardous and should shut down by 2027 at the latest. The health and safety of more than a million residents is at stake.”

“As a professor of environmental engineering and a resident of Porter Ranch, I know that the continued operation of Aliso Canyon is a danger to the environment and a threat to public health, especially young children because of the toxic chemicals it emits into the environment every day it operates,” said Dr. Issam Najm, a professor, activist, and former president of the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council. “Contrary to what Sempra claims, this facility is absolutely not needed for our energy security. The only thing it is needed for is for Sempra to keep its chokehold on the future of California. Governor Newsom knows what needs to be done because he already called for the expedited closure of Aliso Canyon. I urge him to keep his promise to the community, fight for climate justice, and commit to closing Aliso Canyon no later than 2027.”

“Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) stands with the residents of Porter Ranch, and everyone across the world who is serious about addressing climate change. As we approach the 10th anniversary of one of history’s most devastating industrial disasters, the continued operation of Aliso Canyon speaks volumes about why American politicians have lost the trust of the public,” said Alan Minsky, PDA’s Executive Director. “Governor Newsom has the opportunity here to gain the public’s trust by announcing a closure date for Aliso Canyon.”  

Food & Water Watch is a national advocacy organization that mobilizes people to build political power to move bold and uncompromised solutions to the most pressing food, water and climate problems of our time. Learn more at www.foodandwaterwatch.org    

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) is a national grassroots organization, operating both inside and outside the Democratic Party. PDA works to build a government that is responsive to the entire citizenry, not just the wealthy few and powerful corporations, with policies that serve the public interest and protect the planet. Learn more at pdamerica.org