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SoCalGas, SDG&E summarize blowdown cuts, aerial mapping gains and roadmap toward 40% cut
Summary
SoCalGas and SDG&E reported large cumulative reductions from blowdown programs, expanded aerial methane mapping, and accelerated leak‑repair efforts; SoCalGas outlined a multi‑pronged roadmap emphasizing maintenance of existing gains, new technologies, and a diverse project portfolio to reach 40% reductions by 2030.
SoCalGas and San Diego Gas & Electric representatives at the workshop reviewed program accomplishments and outlined a strategy to reach a 40% emissions cut from the 2015 baseline by 2030.
SoCalGas reported a 94% reduction in transmission pipeline blowdowns in 2023 relative to the 2015 baseline at sites covered by its blowdown‑reduction program, and a cumulative reduction of roughly 800 million cubic feet from 2018 through 2023; the company forecasts cumulative blowdown reductions of approximately 2.1 billion cubic feet by 2030 under its compliance‑plan scope. SDG&E reported similar measures on a smaller scale — a 62% transmission blowdown reduction in 2023 and much smaller absolute volumes corresponding to its smaller footprint.
Both utilities described aerial methane mapping (AMM) as a proven emissions‑reduction tool that also yields safety benefits by finding high‑priority customer and system sources. SoCalGas reported AMM cost‑effectiveness improvements through contract negotiations, new sensors, IT investments and increased coverage; the utility cited standard cost‑effectiveness improvements from roughly $70–$48 per MCF (2021–22) down to $28–$29 per MCF (2023–24) and projected $25 per MCF with further efficiencies and ferry‑scan opportunities.
SoCalGas detailed a multi‑part “roadmap to 40%” that emphasized four critical practices: (1) maintain reductions already achieved; (2) explore and implement new methods and technologies; (3) maintain a diverse project portfolio across pipelines, compressor stations and customer‑side measures to hedge against unexpected events; and (4) provide a buffer above the 40% target to absorb year‑to‑year fluctuations. The company emphasized that rising costs (for example, an estimated 30% increase in paving costs in 2025) could increase program cost‑effectiveness even when reductions remain constant and that staff are pursuing cost reductions and program design changes to manage that risk.
SoCalGas also reviewed several emerging projects proposed in its compliance plan: expanded MSA leak survey frequency by retooling atmospheric‑corrosion survey crews to perform leak detection (to move some routes from 5‑year to 3‑year cycles), strategic vapor‑recovery installations at a small subset of high‑emitting compressor units, a rod‑packing maintenance and quality program for compressors, and development of AMM‑derived emission factors to prioritize large leaks.
