Aliso Canyon gas leak fund launches electric appliance program

TECH Clean California announced the first $20 million in incentives from the Aliso Canyon gas leak settlement. The program allows affected homeowners to replace gas appliances with electric models. The total allocation for the initiative is $40 million.

The leak occurred in 2015 at a natural gas storage well in the Los Angeles area. It released nearly 100,000 tons of methane into the atmosphere over more than 100 days. The gas was not contained for almost four months. The incident forced residents near the San Fernando Valley to evacuate due to sulfur smells and health issues.

In 2021, thousands of families reached a settlement of up to $1.8 billion with Southern California Gas Co. and its parent company, Sempra Energy. About 35,000 claimants received compensation for personal injuries and property damage. SoCalGas spent over $1 billion on the leak response. Most of that money went to temporarily relocating 8,000 families.

Evan Kamei, director of TECH Clean California, stated that the incentives will help create healthier homes. He said the program aims to reduce energy costs and provide cooling. The shift from old gas appliances to efficient electric ones is also expected to create local jobs.

Single-family homes in the affected area are eligible for the incentives. Residents who meet income requirements can access additional funds. Multi-unit property owners will have access to the program later. Those meeting income criteria can receive up to $31,800 to cover the cost of electrical installations in their homes.

Weldon Kennedy, co-founder of Copper, a California startup selling induction cooktops and ovens, said the company joined the program to help distribute funds. He noted that many people have a cultural attachment to gas for cooking. Copper’s products plug into standard outlets, avoiding the cost of rewiring usually associated with switching from gas to electric.

Gas stoves release pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and benzene. These substances are linked to asthma and cancer, respectively. Approximately 47 million Americans use gas stoves. Carol Kamei, a resident near the Aliso Canyon facility for 46 years, was a plaintiff in the case against SoCal Gas.

Carol Kamei reported nosebleeds and the smell of gas during the leak. She learned from a UCLA health study that she has reduced lung capacity. She plans to use the incentives to replace her oven with an electric one. She said she would prefer not to use gas.