Aliso Canyon Settlement Funds Electric Appliance Upgrades
TECH Clean California launched a $40 million incentive program to help Los Angeles residents replace gas appliances following the 2015 Aliso Canyon gas blowout.
The first $20 million of a $40 million incentive program is now available to help residents affected by the 2015 Aliso Canyon gas blowout in Los Angeles replace gas-powered appliances with electric alternatives. Managed by TECH Clean California, the funding supports the installation of electric stoves, water heaters, and heat pumps for eligible single-family homeowners in the affected area. Income-qualified residents may receive up to $31,800 in incentives.
The program is funded by a 2021 settlement of up to $1.8 billion between approximately 35,000 plaintiffs and the Southern California Gas Co. and its parent company, Sempra Energy. The legal action followed the largest known methane leak in the United States, which released nearly 100,000 tons of methane over 100 days in 2015.
To facilitate the transition, the program has partnered with Copper, a California startup selling electric induction appliances. While the initiative aims to reduce pollution and improve home health, industry leaders note that some residents maintain a cultural attachment to gas cooking.
