Southern California Gas Co (SoCalGas), the top gas distribution utility in the US, on Tuesday, announced a target to bring its greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2045, in line with California’s goal to become carbon-neutral in the next 25 years. SoCalGas said the goal could be achieved in part by providing hydrogen and organic waste-based gas to its nearly 22 million customers. However, The company, which is a unit of Sempra Energy, did not rule out fossil fuels in its portfolio by 2045.
SoCalGas also said it would invest in technologies to capture and store carbon or use it in industrial applications. Some US companies, which have announced their net-zero emissions goal, rely on these technologies to achieve the climate target. However, these technologies are not yet commercially available.
Nevertheless, pressure from governments, investors, and activists continue to grow to make energy companies adjust operations and reduce emissions. Gas utilities are facing pressure from activists and progressive lawmakers to phase out gas use in buildings and transportation. SoCalGas has lobbied against efforts to end or reduce gas use in new buildings in some cities in California.
