After Aliso Canyon Disaster, its Time for Los Angeles to Go 100% Renewable

For those living in the San Fernando Valley, the Aliso Canyon gas blowout was a harsh wake-up call. Watching our neighbors in the Valley continue to struggle with the effects of the disaster makes it clearer than ever that Los Angeles must transition quickly to renewable energy before it is too late.

Returning to normal for the 15,000 Porter Ranch residents forced to relocate, and their neighbors who stayed behind, has not been easy. Families and pets are still getting sick from the toxic residue in their homes and yards that was spewed from the blown out well.

SoCal Gas, which owns Aliso Canyon, hopes to reopen the facility the end of the summer, against the will of the community that fears another blowout will occur in one of the aging, corroded wells. News reports have debunked the company’s attempts to raise concerns about summer blackouts without the Aliso Canyon facility and experts say SoCalGas exaggerated the demand for electricity and misrepresented the data.

Not only is the blowout a community health catastrophe, it is also an environmental disaster that rivals the BP Gulf oil spill. Over four months, 97,000 tons of methane poured into the atmosphere. Once touted as a “bridge fuel” to the renewable future, methane, or natural gas as it is more commonly known, is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. New research shows that methane escapes at an alarming rate at all stages of production, distribution, storage and burning, making it worse for the climate crisis than coal.

We have the technology to replace dangerous and environmentally destructive energy like oil and gas. We now need the political will. As a member of the City Council’s Energy & Environment Committee, Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell knows the facts. We urge him to support transitioning Los Angeles to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035, as well as the permanent shut down of Aliso Canyon, which can never be made safe.

To learn more about Food & Water Watch's campaign to transition Los Angeles to 100 percent renewable energy, please attend a free educational event at the Echo Park Film Center this Friday, June 17th, from 7-9pm. You will hear from an expert panel with speakers from SolarCity, CSUN and Food & Water Watch, and light snacks will be provided. RSVP here: http://bit.ly/1UbtNER