770327_0100006_Grouped_SoCALGas_UGS

2026070882

California Department of Conservation (DOC)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

7/22/2026

7/22/2026

Randall P. Jeffries

Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division, Southern California Gas Company (S4700)

Oil and Gas Program Analyst

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant

715 P. Street, MS 1803
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 917-3683

ceqa@conservation.ca.gov

34°18'48.7"N 118°33'49.3"W

1389.74' South and 5254.8' West from Station No. 84

03N

16W

28

Aliso Canyon

Categorical Exemption

Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)

Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1): The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 1” (14 CCR § 15301) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the proposed project is a repair or minor alteration of existing facilities and will not involve an expansion of use of the storage field, and therefore is exempt from the need for full CEQA review. Additionally, in accordance with 14 CCR § 1684.1 the Class 1 exemption consists of operation repair, maintenance, minor alternation of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously. This includes publicly-owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services (14 CCR 15301(b)). The operator proposes to rework 3 existing wells by pulling completion equipment, cleaning to total depth, performing casing expansions, performing integrity tests, and running new completion tubing flow. The well pads are flat and devoid of any vegetation.

Categorical Exemption

Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)

Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302): Class 2 applies because it consists of “replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced.” This includes replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity. This project will reconstruct the casing of existing gas storage wells. The wells will remain gas storage wells with substantially the same capacity. The well pads are flat and devoid of any vegetation.

Categorical Exemption

Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)

Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2): Class 4 consists of “drilling operations that result only in minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation.” (14 CCR §1684.2.) The proposed project would rework existing gas storage wells. The wells are located on existing well pads, which are large enough to accommodate the necessary equipment and can be accessed by existing access roads. The project does not involve the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. Therefore, there will be no new surface disturbance that would significantly impact the surrounding environment. The well pads are flat and devoid of any vegetation. Exceptions to Exemptions: CalGEM further finds that there are no exceptions to the application of the categorical exemptions (PRC § 21084; 14 CCR § 15300.2) referenced above. For example, there is no substantial evidence that there are any “unusual circumstances” associated with the proposed project that create a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment, and that there are no significant “cumulative impacts” resulting from successive projects of the same type in the same place. Therefore, reliance on the exemptions is appropriate.