SoCal Gas to pay $4M over Porter Ranch gas leak
Southern California Gas Co. Will pay a $4 million settlement to end a criminal case over the utility’s handling of the massive Porter Ranch gas leak last year. The company pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of failing to immediately report the leak. Ref. Source 4n.
Southern California gas approaches $3 a gallon
Gas prices in the Los Angeles/Orange County region were up more than 40 cents from a year ago and stood near $3 a gallon Monday. They topped $2.90 in the Inland Empire. OPEC production cutbacks are being blamed. Ref. Source 4e.
Legislature passes 12-cent gas tax hike
The state Legislature narrowly approved a $52 billion transportation package with a two-thirds vote last night. The measure will hike gas taxes and vehicle license fees to fix California’s pothole-ridden roads, highways and unstable bridges. Ref. Source 9k.
Keeping California's natural gas system safe. The massive natural gas leak at Aliso Canyon shined a light on California’s aging natural gas infrastructure. And five years of extreme drought also exacted its toll on transmission pipelines. Now the researchers have been awarded millions by the California Energy Commission for two projects aimed at improving the safety and reliability of the state’s natural gas system. Source 8r.