Business groups sign petition against new gas connections moratorium
State agency looks to put a halt to projects in wake of Aliso Canyon leak
Santa Clarita business groups rallied members to sign a petition Thursday against a state agency’s proposed moratorium on connecting new natural gas connections to businesses in Los Angeles County in the wake of the Aliso Canyon gas leak.
The Los Angeles County Business Federation, Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Clarita Economic Development Corp. issued notices to members asking they sign a petition before the deadline Thursday.
“In an unnecessary and shocking turn of events (last month)—the (California Public Utilities Commission) issued a proposed resolution to prevent SoCalGas from connecting new service to all new commercial and industrial developments in the affected Los Angeles County through this winter—and intend to vote on this measure by Jan. 11,” the notice from the business federation said.
“Over 400 businesses with permits in the works could be halted as a result of this resolution. Businesses affected include restaurants, a hospital network, a university and hotels.”
The CPUC said the moratorium was necessary in order to ensure capacity.
“A moratorium on new commercial and industrial, natural gas service connections in both incorporated and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County is necessary to avoid increasing demand for natural gas by new commercial and industrial customers until such time as the Commission is assured that there is adequate capacity in the system to meet foreseeable need taking into account seasonal distinctions,” the agency said.
The moratorium would last “until further Commission action or March 31, 2018, whichever is earlier,” according to the state agency.