Councilman Tim McOsker Tuesday set his sights on closing down a gas storage facility in San Pedro that has been in operation since 1973, citing concerns from constituents over impacts to health, safety and the environment.
The councilman, who represents the 15th District, which includes the Harbor Area, introduced a motion Tuesday requesting an amortization study of the Rancho LPG Facility, a butane and propane storage site. He noted the facility is located near residential, education and commercial areas.
“Many motions have been introduced regarding this site, with the end goal being the same, ending the storage of butane and propane at Rancho LPG,” McOsker said in a statement. “Similar to the city experience and response to oil drilling in the city limits, an amortization study will allow us to evaluate and effectuate real change as we seek an end to the current use at the Rancho LPG facility.”
In 2022, the City Council voted to ban new oil drilling in the city and require all existing oil extractions to phase out production pursuant to an amortization study. The Rancho LPG, however, did not fall under those rules because it is a storage facility rather than a drilling site.
McOsker’s motion calls for an amortization study of the facility, intended to provide “expert information” that can lead to its termination, and outline possible remediation of the site.
According to a 2023 petition to the Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of the San Pedro Peninsula Homeowners United Inc. and the Tongva Ancestral Territorial Tribal Nation, studies have indicated that a catastrophic incident at the facility involving a release of butane could potentially cause more than 2,500 deaths, 12,500 injuries and also major destruction for the Port of Los Angeles and its related infrastructure.
McOsker’s motion was seconded by Councilwoman Heather Hutt, and was referred to the Energy & Environment Committee.