LOS ANGELES, February 10, 2018 – Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today joined Assemblymember Mike Gipson to mark a significant milestone in a $17 million pipeline modernization project along 190^th Street between South Vermont Avenue and South Figueroa Street near the Harbor Freeway (Interstate 110). Construction crews today raised nearly 1,300 feet of new pipeline into the air and safely installed it below 190^th Street. SoCalGas is using a trenchless construction technique to reduce impacts to traffic and the environment.
Photos of SoCalGas and Assemblymember Mike Gipson are available here.

The 190th Street pipeline replacement project is part of SoCalGas’ Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan (PSEP), a multi-billion-dollar program that identifies high-pressure pipeline sections throughout SoCalGas’ system and schedules them to be pressure-tested and/or replaced. Since the PSEP program began in 2013, SoCalGas has tested and/or replaced 155 miles of high pressure lines, and upgraded or replaced 120 valves.

“Customers in this region prefer to use natural gas for home heating, hot water and cooking because it's the most affordable and reliable option,” said Rick Phillips, senior director of SoCalGas’ Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan. “Upgrading our pipeline system helps ensure we can continue to reliably provide natural gas to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and power plants in Los Angeles."

"The new pipeline installation will ensure that our communities continue to receive safe, reliable natural gas service for heat and hot water," said Assemblymember Mike Gipson for the 64th District. "This infrastructure investment will help ensure that these needs are met."

The 190th Street pipeline replacement project will enhance safety and reliability for nearly 375,000 residential and commercial natural gas customers in Gardena, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Carson, San Pedro, and Palos Verdes and other L.A. Gateway Area communities. SoCalGas does not anticipate any service interruptions to customers while the work is being completed.

SoCalGas invests in modernizing its natural gas system to deliver reliable energy while keeping bills affordable for customers. From 2011-2016 the company invested nearly $6 billion to upgrade and modernize its natural gas system and had the second lowest average bills in the nation among gas utilities.

In Southern California, natural gas is the most affordable and reliable option for home and water heating, and for cooking. More than 90 percent of residents use natural gas to heat their home and hot water. In addition, more than half of the electricity generated in California is produced using clean burning natural gas. Generating electricity locally using natural gas helps California avoid importing electricity generated with less desirable fuels like coal.  

During the pipeline installation, Southbound traffic Interstate 110 may take the off-ramp at 190th Street and make a left-hand turn towards Figueroa Street.  However, vehicles will not be able to make a right-hand turn onto 190th Street due to lane closures. 

Through May 2018, eastbound and westbound traffic on West 190th Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Eastbound and westbound traffic on West 190th Street between South Vermont Avenue and South Figueroa Street will not be able to make left turns for approximately one-half mile, due to construction work in the middle lane. Westbound traffic will still be able to turn left or right onto Vermont Avenue. Eastbound traffic will still be able to turn left or right on South Figueroa Street.

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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 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. SoCalGas 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.