TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a new Schedule I, Transaction-Based Natural Gas Storage Service Agreement, as part of the long-term Master Services Contract, with the Southern California Gas Company, for natural gas storage capacity rights, from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City), through its Energy Resources Department (Energy Resources), maintains an agreement with the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) to retain natural gas storage capacity rights in SoCalGas’ regional underground natural gas storage fields. Because the City does not have above or below ground natural gas storage capacity, Energy Resources maintains a reserve of natural gas in SoCalGas’ storage fields for added natural gas supply reliability during periods of sharp increases in natural gas demand and natural gas supply shortages caused by unexpected events. Natural gas storage inventories represent approximately seven percent of annual Energy Resources natural gas sales.
On January 8, 2000, the City Council authorized a long-term Master Services Contract (No. 26729) with SoCalGas. The current Schedule I, Transaction-Based Natural Gas Storage Service Agreement (Agreement), as part of the Master Services Contract, will expire on March 31, 2022. A 2008 settlement agreement approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and subsequently upheld, set the natural gas storage reservation rates charged to Energy Resources to be equal to those paid by core customers of SoCalGas and San Diego Gas and Electric.
The new Agreement sets a maximum natural gas inventory capacity, injection and withdrawal levels, and a provision for variable in-kind charges on actual natural gas monthly injection volumes through SoCalGas’ G-TBS Tariff. Any charges and rates are subject to change during the term of Agreement with approval of the CPUC.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard F....
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