CPUC To Hold Hearings In Its Proceeding To Consider Future of Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility: CPUC Media Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                           MEDIA ADVISORY

Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov                       Docket #: I.17-02-002

 

CPUC TO HOLD HEARINGS IN ITS PROCEEDING TO CONSIDER

FUTURE OF ALISO CANYON NATURAL GAS STORAGE FACILITY

SAN FRANCISCO, March 30, 2017 – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold a Prehearing Conference and a Public Participation Hearing in its proceeding to evaluate the feasibility of minimizing or eliminating the use of Southern California Gas Company’s Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility while still maintaining energy and electric reliability for the Los Angeles region and just and reasonable rates in California.

Prehearing Conference

WHEN: Monday, April 17, 2017, 10 a.m.

WHERE: CPUC Carmel Room, 1st Floor, 320 W. 4th St., Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90013

WHY/WHAT: The purpose of the Prehearing Conference is for parties to the proceeding to discuss the issues, scope, and scheduling of the proceeding, the relationship of the proceeding to other CPUC proceedings, and to address any outstanding motions. All entities that filed and served responses when the proceeding was opened are considered parties to the proceeding. The Prehearing Conference is an organizational hearing for parties who intend to actively participate in the formal proceeding, and participation in the formal proceeding requires compliance with the CPUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. There will not be an opportunity for public comment at the Prehearing Conference.

 

Public Participation Hearing

WHEN: Monday, April 17, 2017, 6 p.m.

WHERE: Northridge Woman’s Club, 18401 Lassen St., Northridge, CA 91325

WHY/WHAT: The Public Participation Hearing is an opportunity for local residents and organizations to provide their perspective and input to the CPUC regarding the proposed scope and schedule for this proceeding. The purpose of the proceeding is to examine the long-term viability of the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility. The scope of the proceeding does not include the immediate question of whether the facility should be reopened for injection in 2017, but rather the long-term feasibility of minimizing or eliminating the use of the facility while still maintaining energy and electric reliability for the Los Angeles region, consistent with maintaining just and reasonable rates. The CPUC will have staff on hand to present in more detail the CPUC’s proposed analysis process. A court reporter will record the statements of the public.  The Commissioner assigned to the proceeding, Liane M. Randolph, and Assigned Administrative Law Judge Melissa Semcer, will attend the Public Participation Hearing. The CPUC expects to hold additional Public Participation Hearings later in the course of this proceeding.

 

Comments from the public can help the CPUC reach an informed decision so consumers are encouraged to attend Public Participation Hearings.

 

For those unable to attend a Public Participation Hearing in person, written comments on any proceeding may be submitted to: CPUC Public Advisor, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102, or via email to public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov. Please refer to proceeding number I.17-02-002 on any written or email correspondence about this proceeding. All public comments received are provided to the CPUC’s Commissioners and the Administrative Law Judge assigned to the case.

 

For more information on the proceeding, please see http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M175/K467/175467112.PDF.
Documents related to the proceeding, including the Ruling setting the Prehearing Conference and Public Participation Hearing, are available at: https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/apex/f?p=401:56:0::NO:RP,57,RIR:P5_PROCEEDING_SELECT:I1702002.
If specialized accommodations are needed to attend a Public Participation Hearing, such as non-English language interpreters, please contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or toll free at 866-849-8390 at least five business days in advance of the hearing.

 

For more information on Public Participation Hearings, please see www.cpuc.ca.gov/PPH.

 

To receive electronic updates on CPUC proceedings, sign-up for the CPUC’s free subscription service at http://subscribecpuc.cpuc.ca.gov.

 

While a quorum of Commissioners and/or their staff may attend, no official action will be taken.

 

For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

 

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Terrie Prosper

Director, News & Outreach Office

California Public Utilities Commission