When will Newsom follow through on his vow to close Aliso Valley? he won’t say

good morning. Here’s what you need to know to start your day.

Is the Aliso Canyon gas storage field closure on schedule? It’s complicated

The largest natural gas leak in U.S. history released more than 100,000 tons of heat-trapping methane into the air over Los Angeles’ Porter Ranch neighborhood for more than 100 days, sickening thousands and forcing residents to evacuate.

The Aliso Valley gas leak is an environmental disaster that continues to plague communities in the northwestern San Fernando Valley as research continues into its long-term health effects.

In 2017, in the face of pressure from local residents, environmentalists and some state lawmakers, former Gov. Jerry Brown called for the facility to permanently close by 2027. Gov. Gavin Newsom later announced his administration’s goal of accelerating the 10-year timeline.

So, what is the current situation? Newsom doesn’t want to talk about it. Last month, the California Public Utilities Commission completed a long-awaited study outlining “specific paths to consider reducing and eliminating dependence” on Southern California Gas Co.’s facilities.

This is the attitude of officials who have not committed to closing Aliso Canyon, and has been incensed by climate change and public health activists who have long criticized the decision to keep the facility open.

Times climate columnist Sammy Ross reflected on the uproar last week, saying that Newsom has since “abandoned his ambitious rhetoric” and that “appointees are preparing to vote this week on a plan they can keep.” “Despite their commitment to the people of Porter Ranch, they avoid acknowledging their commitment to the residents of Porter Ranch.” Aliso Canyon will remain in operation until the 2030s. ”

Sammy said the long-simmering debate has an underlying theme that is central to his writing about the climate crisis and various efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

“In theory, there are a lot of people who think it’s a priority until it means something untoward…then climate issues could come later,” he told me this week. told. “If we’re really going to get this thing under control, or at least slow it down so it doesn’t become even more catastrophic than it is, we need to start addressing it first, and we need to You just have to be willing to go along with it.” I started dealing with inconveniences much more often than I do now. ”

Sammy also said that the national environmental group Food & Water Watch has used a video criticizing Newsom for the lack of progress on closing the Aliso Valley and questioning his environmental record in key Democratic primary battleground states. He also mentioned that he announced a new six-figure advertising campaign.

Here are the details of my conversation with Sammy (edited for clarity):

It is nothing new for politicians to make promises and then not deliver on them. Why should Californians care about this particular case?

Sammy Ross: This is just one example of the issues that we have to think about how to address if we want to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. This is a large part of the fossil fuel infrastructure that Los Angeles currently relies on, unfortunately. We use large amounts of natural gas for heating, cooking, and electricity generation.

Governor Newsom and Governor Brown made big claims before him that they were going to find a way to shut this down. Many years have passed and we seem to have made little progress. And for states and cities that are seriously determined to move away from fossil fuels, this is a real shame, how difficult this is, and why it’s important to hold politicians accountable. is shown.

What would it take to truly shake up our dependence on fossil fuels? And how realistic is that, given where we are now?

SR: The fundamental reality is that we need more funding, and we need more education for contractors, manufacturers, and the people doing the installation work. It’s just like a really big social change.

The technology is there. Costs are coming down. We need to get to the point where electric cars currently represent (almost) 25% of the market (in California). We’re not there yet with appliances and need to scale up quickly. Ultimately, we’re going to need more of a willingness on the part of people to take the plunge and accept funding to make these changes.

Issam Nazim, founder and president of Water Quality & Treatment Solutions Inc., speaks at a rally in Los Angeles on August 22, 2023.

(Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)

There is no shortage of reporting on Newsom’s political aspirations. Do you think that takes into account his actions or inactions? If so, how?

SR: I can’t help but think that’s factored into it. He wants to maintain his reputation as a champion of climate action and clean energy. And he’s done a lot of work for climate change and clean energy. He has also taken other actions that fall short of the truly dramatic and aggressive actions that scientists and activists say are necessary.

Read Sammy’s column here or sign up for the Times’ Boiling Point newsletter for more coverage.

Today’s top news

In November 2023, contaminated liquid spewed onto the surface of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic.

(South Coast Air Quality Management District)

Los Angeles County files lawsuit ‘to stop terrible stench’ at Chiquita Canyon Landfill

Newsom wants to create more good-paying jobs for Californians, especially those without college degrees.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is committed to state and local efforts to prepare students and workers for in-demand jobs through more hands-on learning, job-related skills, and broader access to affordable education. announced plans to streamline and adjust. The news comes as more people have questions. They don’t see the value of higher education and are unsure whether the financial return is worth the rising cost of college.

Supreme Court rejects challenge to California’s special powers to combat air pollution

The justices rejected an appeal by Ohio and 16 other conservative states that asked the court to rule that the Golden State is not a golden child. The move closes the door to constitutional challenges to California’s pollution control standards. But the court recently cleared the way for a different, more targeted legal challenge from oil and biofuel producers.

California has enacted sweeping new rules for home insurance. Here’s what you need to know

what else is going on

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Columnist Anita Chhabria writes that states are fighting over abortion laws, and California could be dragged into the fight. Newsom should not delay the closure of Aliso Canyon any further, writes Mark Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University. Author and private equity investor Eli Federman writes: This year, for Hanukkah, let’s light a light.

This morning’s must-read

(Allen J. Scherben/Los Angeles Times)

She went to prison for the Varsity Blues admissions scandal. Now she says she was the scapegoat. Former University of Southern California athletic director Donna Heinel talks about her time at the epicenter of the Varsity Blues scandal, four months in prison and her dedication to the University of Southern California in her first interview. spoke.

“I carried out my job description and at no point did I consider that this was anything sinister,” she said.

Other must-reads

This literally idyllic town in the California desert loves its flagpole, which was once the world’s tallest.

How can we make this newsletter even more useful? Send your comments to [email protected].

for your downtime

How can you get into the holiday spirit without drinking bubbly champagne? We consulted experts.

(Illustration from Los Angeles Times)

going out

During your stay

Question for you: What is your favorite holiday movie?

Wanda R. writes: “The Apartment” starring Shirley MacLaine, Fred Mummery, and Jack Lemmon.

“Set in 1960 and filmed mostly indoors and in black and white, it’s also a love story that comments on the times, and a man overcoming the fierce competition of the rat race and the cruel and casual sexism against women.”

Email us at [email protected]. Your answer could be published in this week’s newsletter.

And finally… great photos of the day

Birds fly over the pier at Paradise Cove in Malibu.

(Frank Damon)

Today’s great photo comes from Frank Damon of Pacific Palisades. Paradise Cove in Malibu.

Frank writes: “It’s a semi-secluded area with a great pier, lots of birds flying around looking for dinner, and great restaurants on the beach. Paradise Cove is the home of the ‘Rockford Files’ on TV in the ’70s. This is the location where the trailer was set. ”

Tell us about your favorite place in California! Send us a photo you took at a special spot in California (natural or man-made) and tell us why it’s important to you.

Have a great day! From the Essential California team

Reporter Ryan Fonseca
Defne Karabattur, comrades
Andrew Campa, Sunday Reporter
Hunter Claus, Multiplatform Editor
Christian Orozco, Deputy Editor
Stephanie Chavez, Subway Deputy Editor
Karim Doumar, Head of Newsletter

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