Anonymous
Source: Supervisor Das Williams
SoCalGas will be working with a helicopter company to map any methane emissions over SoCalGas infrastructure in areas of Montecito, Mission Canyon, Santa Barbara City and Goleta Valley. (see map below)
This technology allows them to detect methane emissions from the air at a 500 foot altitude to ensure pipeline safety and proper maintenance (within normal FAA flight operations regulations.) SoCalGas will be utilizing a helicopter for the operation.
- The flights are expected to be Monday, January 10 and Thursday, January 13, 2022 weather permitting.
- The helicopter will be going back and forth in a “lawnmower” pattern at about 500 ft.
- Hours of operation will be from 8am to 5pm.
- There is no threat to the community. On the contrary, detection of methane emissions is another way of keeping communities safe. This is part of their SB 1371 emissions reduction program.
- These flights are part of a larger program to detect any emissions throughout the cities and counties served by SoCalGas.
If you have any questions regarding the helicopter activity, please contact the SoCalGas Customer Contact Center at 1-800-427-2200. Company representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A map in red of the expected flight area is below.
Additional flights are expected to be conducted in small areas of Santa Barbara City and in the Hope Ranch area of southern Santa Barbara County (see map below) on Tuesday, January 11 weather permitting.
