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To: [email protected]

CC: [email protected]

CLOSED SESSION Agenda Item 2: Intervene in the SoCalGas GRC

Dear Ventura City Council Members,

Despite strong opposition from residents in Ventura, SoCalGas has decided to move forward with replacing the Ventura Compressor Station with a much larger and expanded facility. SoCalGas is requesting the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approve $233 million in the General Rate Case (GRC) to replace the existing compressor station, well knowing the total cost for the project will be closer to $464 million, ultimately a cost ratepayers will have to bear. SoCalGas continues to spin this project as a “modernization” but the new compressor station is planned to more than double the horsepower of the existing compressor station’s capacity. In SoCalGas’ GRC application, they fail to disclose the project is located in a residential neighborhood, across from homes, an elementary school and Boys and Girls Club. No other gas compressor station situated so close to homes and where children spend their days learning in California, and to our knowledge, the entire country.

We cannot allow SoCalGas to use the CRG as a mechanism to streamline a project of this size, controversy, and known threats posed on the health and safety of our community. GRC’s have a limited ability to explore project necessity and environmental impacts and alternatives. The City of Ventura needs to intervene in the SoCalGas GRC at the CPUC, and weigh in on the project to push for alternatives that reduces local harms and safety risk from the compressor station.By intervening, the City can push for this project to be pulled out of the GRC and require SoCalGas to file an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (“CPCN”). Unlike a GRC, the CPCN process provides a hard look at both purpose and need, and requires environmental review under CEQA. If the Commission requires a CPCN, this will meet the City’s long standing demand for an EIR and provide a forum to look into whether the proposed doubling of compressor capacity is necessary, mitigation for project impacts, and alternatives such as relocating to a less populated location.

When a polluting powerplant was being proposed in the City of Oxnard, Oxnard City COuncil stood alongside their community and became an intervener in the CPUC hearings on the project. Although the City Council does not have local control over this project, you still have the ability to do more to influence the outcome of this project at the state level.

(your name here)

Sincerely,