May 2, 2023

A court recently invalidated Berkeley’s natural gas ban in new construction. Activists soon after accused SoCalGas of secretly funding the California Restaurant Association’s legal challenge to the ban using ratepayer funds.

The allegation is false, which SoCalGas directly told several newspapers. The California Restaurant Association – the actual litigant in the case – also refuted these claims. Unfortunately, a handful of newspaper stories have recently been published repeating those false claims.

SoCalGas is aligned and working transparently with state, local and federal leaders on a thoughtful path to net-zero emissions. There is wide consensus that achieving the state’s climate goals will require a variety of renewable energy sources, including clean fuels like renewable natural gas and hydrogen that SoCalGas can transport through its expansive infrastructure. That’s why we’re focused on leveraging our infrastructure and skilled workforce to promote a reliable, affordable, and resilient energy transition.

Californians deserve an equitable clean energy future that comes from collaboration among policymakers, public interest groups, labor, and the private sector. The recent Ninth Circuit ruling in California Restaurant Association v City of Berkeley does not stand in the way.

For more information on SoCalGas’ transformation and support of California’s clean energy goals, read our Aspire 2045 Sustainability Strategy here.