Rancho Palos Verdes City Council Urges Governor Newsom to Declare State of Emergency for Gas Shutoffs

Days after SoCalGas abruptly discontinued natural gas service to approximately 135 homes in the Portuguese Bend community due to land movement, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is urging Governor Gavin Newsom declare a state of emergency to help impacted residents.

On August 6, the City Council voted to declare a local state of emergency due to a sudden and severe energy shortage, as defined in the California Emergency Services Act. For over one week, residents in the Portuguese Bend Community Association have been scrambling to find alternate means of heating water, cooking meals, and warming homes in preparation for a potentially rainy winter season. The day after gas service was cut, Southern California Edison put even more customers in the wider landslide area on notice that, due to land movement, it may discontinue electricity in the future, if conditions warrant. The City now faces two emergencies: the ongoing landslide and mass utility shutoffs.

In a letter (PDF) to Governor Newsom, Mayor John Cruikshank requested a state of emergency be declared to make public and individual financial and in-kind assistance — such as from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — available to the community. The letter requested permitting requirements be waived or suspended for projects to help impacted residents.

At last night’s meeting, the Council also voted to extend the City’s existing local emergency in the landslide area. Both local declarations must be renewed every 60 days to remain in effect. Watch a recording of the discussion, which included an update on property inspections, on the City website.

Please know that the City is exploring every avenue to slow the land movement and to assist residents impacted by this crisis. We are #RPVtogether.

Reminder: Land Movement Information Center August 8

Residents impacted by land movement are invited to an Information Center on August 8 from 2-8 p.m. at the Ladera Linda Community Center. This event will feature Los Angeles County services, state agencies, nonprofits, and emergency preparedness resources, including:

• L.A. County Assessor’s Office
• L.A. County Department of Aging and Disabilities
• L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control
• L.A. County Fire Department
• L.A. County Department of Mental Health
• L.A. County Department of Public Health
• L.A. County Department of Public Social Services 
• L.A. County Department of Public Works
• L.A. County Treasurer and Tax Collector 
• California Department of Insurance
• American Red Cross
• Salvation Army

The City will have a station with information on permitting for gas conversion and solar projects, as well as Public Works requests. 

Concurrently, the Portuguese Bend Community Association will host a fair with contractors and professionals who provide services for these and other projects that may be needed. 

For additional information, please email landmovement@rpvca.gov or call 310-544-5200.

Now Available: Handout for Sewage Holding Tank Installations 

At yesterday’s Land Movement Information Center at the Ladera Linda Community Center, many residents visited the City’s station to learn about the expedited permitting process for propane conversion and solar energy projects. Information is now available about permitting for switching to above ground sewage holding tanks. Download the handout on the City website (PDF) or pick up a copy at the Information Center on Thursday from 2-8 p.m.

Tax Relief Resources

The L.A. County Assessor's Office table also saw many interested residents at Day 1 of the Information Center. Please visit the Land Movement page on the City website for resources from the Assessor’s Office, including handouts about the Disaster Relief and Decline-in-Value programs, which provide property tax relief in the event of physical damage and economic loss of value. 

SoCalGas Work in Seaview Neighborhood

On August 2, SoCalGas began work to install a series of isolation valves in the Seaview community. If it becomes necessary, these valves would allow SoCalGas to safely turn off natural gas to individual streets most impacted by the land movement, potentially reducing the impact to surrounding streets. This work is not expected to disrupt service to customers in the Seaview community. Read the latest update from SoCalGas at socalgas.com/rpv. 

The City will continue to provide regular community updates at rpvca.gov/landmovement.  

Questions? 

If you have questions, please email landmovement@rpvca.gov.  

Media Inquiries 

If you have a media inquiry related to land movement in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, please contact the City’s communications partner, Tripepi Smith, with your questions at RPVMedia@TripepiSmith.com. They will also add you to our media list so you receive our listserv updates, press releases and media advisories. 

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.