SoCalGas Rates Fall 25% Since 2000; Storage Averted $120M Costs During Storm
SoCalGas’s average residential natural gas rates, adjusted for inflation, declined by approximately 25% between 2000 and 2023, highlighting long-term affordability benefits. During Winter Storm Fern in January 2026, underground storage met nearly 60% of peak demand and avoided an estimated $120 million in energy costs for customers.
1. Inflation-Adjusted Rate Decline
Between 2000 and 2023, SoCalGas achieved a roughly 25% reduction in average residential natural gas rates after adjusting for inflation, driven by efficiencies in supply procurement, system flexibility and expanded underground storage capacity.
2. Winter Storm Fern Storage Impact
During Winter Storm Fern in January 2026, underground storage supplied nearly 60% of system demand at its peak, helping SoCalGas and SDG&E customers avoid an estimated $120 million in additional energy costs when external gas deliveries fell.
3. Infrastructure’s Role in System Reliability
The natural gas network’s flexible resources supported grid stability and cost control during supply shortfalls, while enabling renewable integration by meeting demand when solar and wind output was limited, reinforcing long-term reliability and affordability.