NEWS “Many concerns . . . not a lot of answers” City council seeks study on SoCalGas compressor expansion in West Ventura by Kimberly Rivers
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kimberly@vcreporter.com
n April 26 the Ventura City Council unanimously passed a resolution requesting the state agencies that have jurisdiction over a plan for the expansion of a West Ventura natural gas compressor facility to ensure proper studies are done to protect public health and safety of the Holly Johnson and Erich Schaffer (front) of West Ventura join the march on Ventura Ave. with about residents of West Ventura. 160 residents and supporters protesting the expansion of the Southern California Gas Co. compression Ventura Mayor Sofia Rubalcava, who represents the district the comfacility on April 24, 2021. Photos by Barry Harrington. pressor site is located in, challenged the two Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) representatives on various aspects of the plan to clean up contaminated soil under the area where existing office buildings at the site will be replaced. SoCalGas also plans to upgrade three compression engines with four new modern engines that will increase the overall horsepower of the facility. Rubalcava asked whether the facility had the capability to detect the leaks in 2017, when NASA found the site to be a “super emitter” of methane. “We do test our facilities consistent with all applicable regulations,” answered Jessica Foley, public policy planning manager in the construction department with SoCalGas. She described how “any kind of operation can have mov[ing] parts, vibration and have really small leaks occur.” SoCalGas reports it has fixed the leaks identified by NASA. “It could have been going on for months or for years,” said Tomás Rebecchi, a resident of Ventura who lives two blocks from the compressor station site. He was speaking during public comment and said his two small children will attend E.P. Foster Elementary School, which is just across the street from the project site. “We have many concerns, and not a lot of answers.”
Modernization or expansion? Maria Ventura, public affairs manager for SoCalGas, emphasized that in the view of the company, the project is needed for proper maintenance and modernization. When asked by councilmembers about the use of the word “modernization” rather than “expansion,” she said the project would not result in any increase in service; the same customers would be serviced by the site. Ventura emphasized that the project is aimed at ensuring “affordable and reliable” natural gas supply to existing customers from Ventura County to Santa Maria. After being pressed by Councilmember Mike Johnson (Dist. 3), who confirmed the increase
in horsepower at the facility with the new compressors, Foley admitted that more gas could be going through the facility. “There may be more gas flowing through this station in order to offset the loss of the gas in the northern system,” said Foley. “The dynamics of the energy delivery system has changed, not just with SoCalGas but as a collective total in the energy system.” According to Foley, the upgrade is needed because of a decrease in natural gas production in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties and so the additional horsepower is needed at this compressor site to push more gas through the facility all the way to Santa Maria. “To me that sounds like an expansion,” said Rubalcava.
VC COVID Update Masks indoors, walk-up vaccinations, bars can open by Kimberly Rivers
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kimberly@vcreporter.com
entura County is in the Orange Tier. This means that most everything is open, with various restrictions. Everyone is expected to wear masks inside and social distance. Those fully vaccinated can take their masks off outside. Recreation centers, including amusement parks and indoor activities, can open. Sky Zone, an indoor trampoline park in Ventura, reopened on April 15 with a reduced capacity for social distancing and increased cleaning measures. Bars that don’t serve food can open outdoors, and bowling alleys can operate as well. Schools are back in session, on campus for the most part. Some are still offering distance learning options. Plans for next fall look more like normal overall. On Monday, May 3, Ventura County reported 76 new cases over the weekend, and on April 30, 20 new cases were reported. By the end of April the county reported that the death of a 40-year-old woman was related to COVID-19. There were just 13 people in area hospitals being treated for COVID symptoms and two requiring treatment in intensive care units. While the number of new cases is very low, the virus is still something everyone is contending with in daily life. Vaccination is the main solution available and Ventura County is reporting 6—
SoCalGas officials say it’s a needed modernization project to provide reliable energy as the company transitions to meet its net zero goals by 2045, but local residents and community organizations say it’s merely a profit-driven expansion plan that isn’t warranted given the decrease in natural gas demand overall. By mischaracterizing the project as a mere modern upgrade, the project circumvents a thorough environmental review, including an assessment of how it will impact residents of the state-designated disadvantaged community. This tactic is referred to as piecemealing, and diffuses the environmental impact of the full project. The project in pieces may be able to avoid full environmental review under the Cali-
that 60.7% of residents in the county have received one dose of the vaccine. Compared to the state rate of about 19%, the county is vaccinating the local population at a much higher rate.
Testing
Coronavirus testing is still encouraged. No symptoms are needed to get tested. Locations and times vary across the county. All testing is free. Appointments are available but walk-ins are welcomed as well. State testing locations in Fillmore, Newbury Park, Oxnard and Thousand Oaks require appointments. Call 1-888-634-1123 or register online at www.lhi.care/covidtesting.
No appointment needed for vaccination
Today, every person age 16 and over is eligible to be vaccinated in Ventura County. Note that only the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for ages 16 and 17. The Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines received emergency use authorization for those 18 and up. Last week the county announced that no appointment is needed at many of the vaccination sites around the county. ALL VACCINES ARE FREE. You can still make an appoint online at www.myturn.ca.gov or by calling 833-422-4255. No appointments are needed at these following locations:
Pfizer vaccine available at:
• Thousand Oaks | Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road Mon.-Wed. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Tues. 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. • Ventura | Ventura County Fairgrounds, Anacapa Hall, 10 W. Harbor Blvd. Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
fornia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Questions regarding safety, operation and groundwater contamination
Only one public speaker, David Grau with the Ventura County Taxpayers Association, spoke in support of SoCalGas. Grau emphasized the findings of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), which found that the project would not have a significant environmental impact. DTSC has jurisdiction over the portion of the plan that involves soil cleanup, not the additional gas compressor engines. Continued on next page.
• Santa Paula | Kmart Building, 895 Faulkner Road Thurs. and Fri. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Moderna vaccine available at:
• Oxnard | Babies R Us Building, 2340 N. Rose Ave. Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. • Simi Valley | Sierra Vista Family Medical Clinic, 1227 E. Los Angeles Ave. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Monday, May 10; Tuesday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 12. • South Oxnard | Tent in Parking lot at 2500 South C St. Monday-Wednesday 10:00am-4:00pm • Camarillo | Ventura County Office of Education, 5100 Adolfo Road Thurs. and Fri. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m and Sat. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine available at: Clinics open through May 16: • Camarillo | Ventura County Office of Education, 5100 Adolfo Road Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. • South Oxnard | Tent in Parking lot at 2500 South C St. Thurs. and Fri. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Piru | Warring Park, 802 Orchard Road ONLY on Saturday, May 8, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Pfizer second dose walk-up clinic • Piru | Warring Park, 802 Orchard Street. Saturday May 8th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
— May 6, 2021
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