Natural Gas Storage Underground Is Safe

Re “There’s Something Rotten in Ballona,” Commentary, Aug. 21: Southern California Gas Co.’s Playa del Rey underground natural gas storage field has a record of nearly 60 years of safe operation. Five state and local safety-oriented government agencies oversee operation of this facility, which has been commended 13 years in a row for its outstanding maintenance of wells, compliance with regulations and good corporate citizenship. The safety of the local community and our employees is a top priority. There has not been a single instance in which any person has been hurt or even endangered by our storage field.

Methane gas naturally occurs in wetlands. That gas would exist whether or not we stored natural gas at Playa del Rey. We tightly monitor the amount of natural gas going into and coming out of our reservoir. We pay for that gas and want to make sure we aren’t losing it. We are confident the underground reservoir is secure.

Southern California Gas stands behind its Playa del Rey gas storage facility. We store natural gas the same way nature always has--deep underground--and will continue to do so as long as it continues to prove safe and reliable.

Rudy Weibel

Director of Storage

Southern California Gas Co.

Los Angeles