When the 2015-16 blowout occurred at SoCalGas' Aliso Canyon facility, many in the community wanted to understand who regulates the company's activities and operations. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is one of many agencies that assisted in the response to the Aliso Canyon Disaster. On an ongoing basis, more than 20 local, state and federal agencies play a role in overseeing and regulating operations of SoCalGas’ Aliso Canyon facility:
Sets standards on air and drinking water quality. Also requires reporting of greenhouse gas emissions; requires capture of all gases & fluids; authorizes states to regulate injection wells to achieve water quality standards.
Regulates interstate transmission of energy, gas and oil. Aliso Canyon is a "non-jurisdictional facility" however, FERC followed events after the leak to ensure reliability of energy in Southern California.
Ensures the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operation of the nation's gas and hazardous liquid pipeline transportation system. Established minimum safety standards for depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, aquifer reservoirs, and solution-mined salt caverns used for the storage of gas.
Responsible for the conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish, wildlife and plants, and their habitats.
Ensures safe and healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards.
Regulates gas rates and services of privately-held utilities that serve California customers (e.g., SoCal Gas). Includes in-state transportation of gas over transmission and distribution pipeline systems, gas storage, procurement, metering and billing.
Regulates the drilling, operation, and eventual permanent closure of oil, gas, and geothermal wells. Also regulates underground gas storage, ensuring that storage operations are conducted safely.
Oversees the state's energy infrastructure, prepares for energy emergencies, administers the state's Renewables Portfolio Standard, requires energy suppliers to report data and information including receipt and sale of gas. Sets minimum levels for energy efficiency to ensure the state's supply of energy. Issued a letter in July 2017 urging permanent closure of the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility.
Oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health-based air quality standards.
Assess potential impacts to groundwater associated with well stimulation and oilfield produced water, including underground injection control and produced water ponds. Authority only applies if groundwater is impacted. (Water Board has issued orders in the past for Aliso Canyon.)
Oversees safety testing and public reporting of pipelines transporting hazardous substances within the road right-of-way.
Protects people and environment from harmful effects of toxic substance by restoring contaminated resources, enforcing hazardous waste laws, reducing hazardous waste generation, and encouraging the manufacture of chemically safer products. Authority only applies if hazardous waste disposal is involved.
Responds to emergency incidents declared by state authorities; serves as the central point in state government for the emergency reporting of spills, unauthorized releases, or other accidental releases of hazardous materials. Coordinates the notification of the appropriate state and local administering agencies.
Negotiates and maintains agreements with operators delineating roles and responsibilities if oil and gas projects affect streams, creeks, rivers, or other sensitive habitats near bodies of water within the state.
Protects and improves the safety of California workers by setting and enforcing standards.
Identifies, controls, and prevents unwanted health effects associated with toxic agents. Regulates noise and vibration; investigates health concerns in response to community reports.
Regulates oil and gas discharge ponds. Conducts groundwater monitoring in areas of oil and gas well stimulation; reviews injection well applications.
Regulates land use on private property within unincorporated LA County. Sets development standards for buildings and structures, as well as performance standards for various uses, including oil wells and the storage of oil; issues conditional use permits.
Regulates oil and gas facilities such as oil wells, tank farms, and petroleum refineries. FPD approves new construction, conducts inspections, and issues permits for oil wells, tank farms, pipelines, and other aboveground oil and gas facilities.
HHMD oversees the annual disclosure and triennial compliance inspection requirements for hazardous materials handlers, hazardous waste generators, aboveground petroleum storage tank facilities, underground storage tank facilities, and risk management plans at oil and gas facilities.
Grants franchises to oil and gas companies for the right to lay pipelines along county rights-of-way to transport oil and gas produced within the unincorporated County and Flood Control District; verifies compliance with franchise terms and conditions.
Regulates industrial wastewater discharge.
Identifies, controls, and prevents unwanted health effects associated with toxic agents. Regulates noise and vibration; investigates health concerns in response to community reports.
Responsible for planning for, responding to, and recovering from large scale emergencies and disasters that affect Los Angeles County.
