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Council asks staff, city attorney to study SoCalGas decarbonization map, potential impacts to Lompoc residents
Summary
City manager briefed council on a SoCalGas map showing potential gas-to-electric conversions in a south-side zone; council asked staff and the city attorney to return with a full review, outreach plan and infrastructure cost estimates.
City leaders flagged a proposed SoCalGas decarbonization effort that could remove natural gas service from a swath of the city and directed staff to return with a full legal and operational review.
During the Aug. 19 meeting, City Manager Dean Ambrose displayed a SoCalGas map he said identifies a south-side area that may be subject to a program to replace gas service with electric appliances. Ambrose said the program — referenced in the meeting as "s p 1 21 2 2 1" — would provide electric appliances for households and no longer provide gas service in the shaded areas if implemented.
Why it matters: A shift from gas service to mandatory electrification would directly affect households and city infrastructure. Council members asked for legal analysis of existing franchise agreements with the gas provider, cost estimates for electric infrastructure upgrades, and outreach to residents who may be affected.
What the council heard Ambrose described the possible program and urged residents to provide input on the SoCalGas webpage. Council members pressed for clarification about the scope and legal implications. Council member Bridge asked whether gas service would be discontinued in mapped areas; Ambrose replied that the program proposes providing replacement electric appliances and stopping gas service in older pipeline areas.
Council direction and legal review Council discussion produced an informal commitment among council members to pursue a formal staff report. The mayor asked for the item to be brought back as a full agenda item and sought two other council members to join the request; later the mayor concluded there were three council members in support and directed staff to return with a full review that includes involvement of the city attorney. Council members also requested a diagram of potential electric infrastructure build‑out and cost estimates so the public can understand who would pay for upgrades.
Clarifying points from staff Ambrose said the city has existing franchise agreements that began with Santa Maria Gas Company and are now with SoCalGas; he noted the agreements require maintenance of the system but said whether a franchise would be violated if service is discontinued is a legal question for the city attorney to review.
Ending Council asked staff to return with a full report, including a legal analysis of franchise agreements, a timeline, outreach recommendations and an estimate of potential costs to upgrade electric infrastructure in affected neighborhoods.
