LOS ANGELES, December 21, 2017 – Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) announced it has safely completed a three-year, $83 million project to modernize a major natural gas pipeline along a well-traveled section of Sepulveda Boulevard in Los Angeles, one month ahead of schedule. The project is part of SoCalGas Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan (PSEP), a multi-billion-dollar program that tests and updates the natural gas pipeline infrastructure in Southern California.

“Our natural gas system pipelines are the arteries that keep affordable and clean energy flowing to hospitals, schools, power plants, homes and businesses throughout Southern California,” said Rick Phillips, senior director of SoCalGas’ Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan. “SoCalGas is committed to modernizing our natural gas system so that we can continue to provide every Southern Californian with the affordable and clean energy they deserve.”

The PSEP project along Sepulveda Blvd. began in August 2014 at the intersection of South Sepulveda Boulevard and Tennessee Avenue. Over the past three years, 3.4 miles of brand-new natural gas pipeline was installed from Tennessee Avenue north to the intersection with Casiano Road, near Interstate 405, as shown in this link.

More than 90 percent of homes in this region use natural gas for heat and hot water, and about 60 percent of all electricity generated in California is made by natural gas-fired power plants. Natural gas pipelines deliver natural gas to homes, businesses, power plants and other critical facilities throughout Southern California. Since the PSEP program began in 2013, SoCalGas has conducted hydrotests on 87 miles of pipeline, installed 64 miles of new pipe and installed or upgraded 114 valves throughout its service territory.

SoCalGas’ five-year capital plan includes $6 billion in infrastructure investments, including approximately $1.2 billion this year for improvements to distribution, transmission and storage systems and for pipeline safety. 

About SoCalGas

Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas® is the largest natural gas distribution utility in the United States, providing clean, safe, affordable and reliable natural gas service to 21.7 million customers in Central and Southern California. Its service territory spans 22,000 square miles from Fresno to the Mexican border, reaching more than 550 communities through 5.9 million meters and 101,000 miles of pipeline. More than 90 percent of Southern California single-family home residents use natural gas for home heat and hot water. In addition, natural gas plays a key role in providing electricity to Californians—about 60 percent of electric power generated in the state comes from gas-fired power plants.

SoCalGas has served communities in California for 150 years and is committed to being a leader in the region’s clean energy future. The company has committed to spending $6 billion over the next five years to modernize and upgrade its gas infrastructure, while also reducing methane emissions. SoCalGas is working to accelerate the use of renewable natural gas, a carbon-neutral or carbon-negative fuel created by capturing and conditioning greenhouse gas emissions from farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. The company is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook. 

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