Alternative sites revealed for controversial Ventura gas compressor

Wes Woods II, Ventura County Star
·2 min read
Brian Walker and Maria Ventura, both with SoCalGas, discuss plans to modernize the Ventura gas compressor station at a community event Thursday.
Brian Walker and Maria Ventura, both with SoCalGas, discuss plans to modernize the Ventura gas compressor station at a community event Thursday.

Southern California Gas Co. has identified three alternative locations for its controversial gas compressor project, the first time the utility has announced sites outside its current Olive Street facility in west Ventura.

Gas company officials presented new information to about 20 people who showed up for a community event on Thursday. Another event is set for 10 a.m. Saturday at De Anza Academy of Technology & the Arts, 260 Cameron St., Ventura.

The utility wants to install a hybrid gas-and-electric compressor system at the existing site at 1555 N. Olive St. The project will replace three aging natural gas compressors.

Some residents, activists and city officials have expressed concerns about air quality and public safety.

The alternative locations are all about 15 acres, said Albert Garcia, director of environmental services at SoCalGas, during a separate virtual meeting Thursday. The sites, located along either side of Highway 33 not far from the current station, are:

  • Avocado: 1275 W. Main St., amid hillside agricultural land west of Highway 33

  • Devil's Canyon: 600 Shell Road, north of the Avocado site

  • Ventura Steel: 3587 and 3658 N. Ventura Ave., north of the existing station

Three alternative sites for a modernized SoCalGas compressor facility along with the current facility at 1555 North Olive St. in Ventura.
Three alternative sites for a modernized SoCalGas compressor facility along with the current facility at 1555 North Olive St. in Ventura.

SoCalGas has only conducted a preliminary analysis and not determined whether the sites are for sale, Garcia said.

The alternate sites were included in a project application for the California Public Utilities Commission that is due in April. The gas company would prefer to upgrade the existing Olive Street station, officials have said. The process will take at least 18 months, Garcia said.

If the commission selects an alternate site, SoCalGas would continue operating the existing station until the new site is constructed and operational, said Raul Gordillo, a SoCalGas spokesman.

The Ventura-based Westside Clean Air Coalition, which opposes the project, has planned a rally and march at 9 a.m. Saturday before the event.

"It's one of the only compressor stations in the country that's located so close to a school or homes," said Haley Ehlers, a Ventura resident and director of CFROG, for Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas.

To register for the in-person meeting, visit SoCalGas.com/VenturaOpenHouse.

The Southern California Gas Company compressor, located at 1555 North Olive St., Ventura, in an undated photo.
The Southern California Gas Company compressor, located at 1555 North Olive St., Ventura, in an undated photo.

Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Alternative sites revealed for controversial Ventura gas compressor