"‘Blackout Blackmail’: New Report Casts Doubt On Utility’s Claims"

"A new report calls into question — again — California’s handling of this winter’s historic natural gas leak, this time suggesting that regulators and the gas company are purposely scaring the community and legislature into putting the storage facility back online.

Two reports issued by the state and utility last week predicted summer blackouts if the Aliso Canyon Storage Facility stays out of operation, but there is actually plenty of gas available in Southern California, according to the new report commissioned by Food and Water Watch.

Bill Powers, an energy and environmental engineering consultant and author of the report, sharply criticized the agencies’ data, while the head of a consumer advocacy group called the state report “propaganda” and “fraud.” "

Samantha Page reports for Climate Progress April 12, 2016.