California utility outlines carbon-neutral goals
California utility Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) outlined plans March 23 to achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases from its operations by 2045.
"Our mission is to build the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy company in America," CEO Scott Drury said. "We will lead the energy transition by providing clean fuels and innovative technologies essential to carbon neutrality for California.”
Through the use of renewable natural gas, hydrogen as a power source and other clean-energy initiatives, the company estimates that it already avoids more than 3.2mn mt/yr of CO2-equivalent emissions, or about the same as removing more than 700,000 passenger vehicles from the road each year.
The company, incorporated under parent Sempra Energy, outlined its plans in step-wise fashion.
For example, by 2025, it plans to have net-zero emissions for company buildings with a footprint larger than 10,000 ft2 and replace half of its vehicle fleet with clean-fuel alternatives.
By 2030, the company estimates about half of its existing buildings will be carbon neutral, 20% of its deliveries will be in the form of renewable natural gas and 100% of the gas vented during any pipeline work will be eliminated.
By 2035, SoCalGas expects to have net-zero emissions across its entire road fleet and company buildings.
“Through collaboration and partnership, California can develop clean energy solutions at scale and serve as a global beacon for energy innovation,” Drury added.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom described his state as the “pace setter” for bold climate initiatives like these during his State of the State address on March 9.
"SoCalGas' bold climate pledge demonstrates their commitment to helping California reach its goal of carbon neutrality," California Sen. Bob Archuleta said.
The largest utility in the US, SoCalGas serves an estimated 22 million customers in California, about half of the state’s total population.