Earlier today the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Governing Board voted to approve its Air Quality Management Plan. The plan will require emission reductions from large polluters to achieve a five ton-per-day reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions no later than 2025, transitioning an emissions cap-and-trade program to traditional regulations and providing incentive funding to outfit heavy-duty vehicles with low-emission natural-gas engines. SoCalGas issued the following statement in response:

“SoCalGas applauds the AQMD Governing Board for adopting a plan that seeks to get emissions reductions from all sectors with an emphasis on deploying technologies that can help us achieve better air quality in the near term. 

“We strongly support the Plan’s attention to the transportation sector—the largest source of emissions and biggest emissions reduction challenge.   The Plan recognizes the need for widespread use of zero and near-zero emissions trucks, like natural gas heavy-duty truck engines that are available today and can immediately achieve reductions in emissions of criteria pollutants, air toxins and greenhouse gases from these vehicles.”

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About SoCalGas

Southern California Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for 150 years.  It is the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 21.6 million consumers connected through 5.9 million meters in more than 500 communities.  The company’s service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. Southern California Gas Co. is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.