The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors this week declared a local emergency in response to the continuing gas leak that has prompted hundreds of residents to temporarily relocate from the Porter Ranch area.
Supervisor Mike Antonovich proposed the emergency declaration last week, saying the action formalizes a request for “state and federal assistance to provide … our residents in the Porter Ranch area with additional air monitoring” and help with efforts to cap the well.
“This has been going on for 50 days,” Antonovich said. “This is a disaster area.”
No evacuation order has been issued, although about 1,700 families have been relocated out of the area, while more than 1,000 are seeking to temporarily leave until the leak is capped and health issues are addressed. Southern California Gas Company said this week that it is in the first phase of drilling a relief well that will ultimately allow the utility to cap the leak. Gas Co. spokesman Andy Carrasco told the board that it may take three to four months to complete the work.
In a letter sent to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris has asked the regulatory board to deny any attempt by the Southern California Gas Company to pass along to customers the estimated $1 billion in total damages that are expected to result from the company’s alleged mismanagement regarding the release of massive amounts of natural gas and associated chemicals in and around the vicinity of Porter Ranch.
Parris’ letter asked the CPUC to initiate an Order Instituting Investigation into mismanagement of the gas company’s Aliso Canyon storage facility. Parris said he expects the total cost of the disaster to be borne by the gas company and not his Lancaster constituents, as well as the 14 million other rate payers in Los Angeles County.
“I am dismayed and appalled by Southern California Gas Company’s lack of due diligence in complying with federal and state laws for injection wells,” Parris wrote. “This is compounded by the fact that these wells are in communities where families live, work and go to school.”
As part of full disclosure, Parris informed the CPUC that he is an attorney representing many families in a lawsuit stating that they are potentially harmed by the ongoing gas leak.
“Please do the right thing—hold Southern California Gas Company responsible for its failure to follow proper protocol,” Parris continued. “By not implementing an Environmental Impact Report in the first place, SoCalGas has endangered citizen lives and compromised environmental integrity. Do not allow this company to create even further harm by making the businesses and residents of Lancaster, as well as other municipalities, pay for their horrific mistakes.”
Residents of Porter Ranch have become increasingly frustrated over the gas leak which has continued virtually unabated for two months. Last weekend, shouts of “What do we want? Shut it down! When do we want it? Now!” were heard at the intersection of Tampa Avenue and Sesnon Boulevard, reportedly “ground zero” for the leak. Some residents donned gas masks at the rally demanding that the gas company shut down the site. Protesters said they are suffering daily from severe health issues, including irritated throats, unexpected coughing fits, and blurry, watering eyes. One resident brought along the family pet and said the dog’s eyes were red and irritated because of the gas leak.
Also last week, infrared imaging revealed a plume of hydrocarbons flowing over Porter Ranch. The gas company has maintained that the leak is not toxic and leaking levels are too low to cause any long-term health concerns.
