The Issue

We urge the City of Irvine and the relevant authorities to disapprove the SoCalGas pipeline for the Bowerman Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) plant in Irvine.

Frank R. Bowerman Landfill Expansion

Orange County currently has three active landfills, with Frank R. Bowerman (FRB) in Irvine being one. Initially, Frank R. Bowerman was estimated to close in 2024, but in the early 2000s, The Orange County Integrated Waste Management Board approved the expansion of the FRB with a new expected closure date of 2053. Now that the Olinda Alpha (OA) Landfill in Brea is set to close in 2026, many of the trash from that service areas which include but not limited to Brea, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Orange, Placentia, Villa Park, Yorba Linda will then be transported to Irvine. The annual average trash transported to FRB landfill is 8,500 ton/day and will be increased to 11,500 ton/day. This landfill expansion will add 200 more trucks daily accessing Sand Canyon and Portola Parkway, increasing the total from 500 to 700 trucks. This increase will lead to heightened noise, pollution, and congestion. According to a study conducted by the Orange County Grand Jury, titled  "Orange County Landfills: Talking Trash 2017-2018," "the rerouting trash disposal traffic from Olinda Alpha to the two remaining landfills, would affect traffic and infrastructure countywide."

Wildfire Risk

Based on OC Land Fills' website data, the Silverado Fire on October 26, 2020 that ravaged through parts of Orange County "took out more than 40 power poles, demolishing the FRB site's power system and communications. "It also destroyed the site's gas collection and environmental control systems and some safety apparatus, including the exposed liner, LFG lines, water lines and roadside guard rails". And based on City of Irvine’s website, it was estimated that at least 90,000 residential units have been evacuated. During the 35 days between the closure and reopening of FRB due to the fire, 200,000 tons of trash had to be diverted to the other two landfills in Orange County. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) also provided FRB with a temporary variance "to continue operations and perform repairs while temporarily waiving certain requirements for excess emissions due to equipment damage caused by the Silverado Fire."  

Based on April 2024 update (see map below) by The Office of the State Fire Marshall on Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the landfill is confirmed to be in a Severe Fire Hazard Zone. In addition, the Santa Ana winds are notorious for significantly lowering humidity levels, often into the single digits, while simultaneously heightening the risk of wildfires. With such history and data, why are we taking another chance to build something here that would jeopardize the safety of the residents?

The proposed RNG Plant site and the new SoCalGas pipeline route and the neighboring Irvine Open Space Preserve are in a high fire hazard severity zone! The pipeline will extend from the facility down the Bee Canyon Access Road, extending to Portola Parkway and Jeffrey Road. With the proposed plant just approximately 4,200 feet (0.8 mile) from the nearest residences, plus a portion of the new SoCalGas pipeline only approximately 200 feet (0.04 miles) and 0.27 miles from the nearest residences adjacent to Portola Parkway and Stonegate Elementary School, it definitely raises concerns about the impact on local residents' quality of life and safety.

The proposed RNG plant is scheduled for approval in September 2025 by OC Board of Supervisor. The construction is set to begin in 2025 and persist for a span of well over 2 years, with the most emission-intensive construction phases coinciding within a 1-year period. This process not only disrupts the local ecology, but the emissions also have potential for massive health and environmental impacts. A projected rise in RNG production also encapsulates future reliance on fossil fuels, a practice we should be moving away from in a time of climate emergency. We urge the responsible authorities to invest in truly renewable and clean energy alternatives over this project.

Please sign this petition to stand against the Bowerman Renewable Natural Gas Plant for the safety of the residents!

Check out our website for more information: https://stapirvine.wixsite.com/stap