The planned testimony comes as the leak near Porter Ranch has persisted for a month.
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The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, at Supervisor Mike Antonovich’s behest, on Thursday directed the gas company to expedite leak abatement and to provide free, temporary relocation to any affected residents, according to Antonovich’s office. “Right now, what we’re focused on is stopping the flow of gas as quickly, safely as possible”, said Javier Mendoza, a representative.
The Gas Co. has said the leak, which could take months to fix, does not pose a threat because it is outdoors and over a mile away from and more than 1,200 feet higher than homes or public areas.
Since at least October 23, 2015, Plaintiff and the Porter Ranch community have been, and continue to be, physically invaded by gases, chemicals, noxious odors, pollutants, and contaminants emanating from the natural gas leak at Defendants’ Aliso Canyon facility, located at 12801 Tampa Avenue, Los Angeles, California. A board meeting was held in downtown Los Angeles around 9:30 a.m., where the South Coast Air Quality Management District reported they received a total of 660 complaints about the month-long stench. Now the Gas Company proposes to eliminate the odor until it can stop the gas.
In the meantime, on Friday the Los Angeles City Council approved a motion from the local councilman in the area, summoning SoCalGas executives to a meeting with environmental, fire and health officials so the utility can answer the questions of city officials concerning an incident that has turned out to be anything but routine.
Meanwhile, “gas is flowing into the earth and seeping up through the ground”, and residents of Porter Ranch are suffering through what the gas company calls “short-term symptoms” caused by odorants added to natural gas to aid leak detection. Some residents took part in a rally in the area Monday demanding an investigation into the gas company’s handling of the leak.
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The gas company is “deeply sorry” for the smell, inconvenience and frustration residents feel, said Gillian Wright, a vice president with the utility.
