The lawyer insisted that Southern California Gas Company must be held accountable.
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A nonprofit organization is making $5 million in loans and other financial assistance available to businesses affected by the ongoing natural gas leak near Porter Ranch. The amount of methane emitted from the SoCal Gas underground storage facility will have the same impact on climate over the next 20 years as emissions from seven coal-fired power plants, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.
The leak stems from an underground pipeline rupture at the company’s 1,457-hectare Aliso Canyon natural gas storage field.
CBS Los Angeles reported the company has disputed characterizations that it dallied in informing authorities of the leak, saying the utility “immediately took steps to address the leak and inform the appropriate regulatory agencies” and communicated on a daily basis with state and local officials “from the outset”. In trying to reassure the public there’s no long-term health risk from the leak, Southern California Gas Co. has said in news releases and FAQs on its website that since the crisis began, just two air samples briefly showed elevated concentrations of the substance. The CPUC is already investigating the natural gas leak at the facility near Porter Ranch in the San Fernando Valley.
The leak, which was discovered on October 23, 2015, has yet to be abated.
Tuesday’s lawsuit
Southern California Gas Co. said that it will defend itself in the court.
“It does increase the pressure on the gas company because they are under fire from more government agencies now”, said Greg Keating, professor of law at the USC Gould School of Law.
A spokeswoman said the company doesn’t comment on pending litigation and was focused on stopping the leak, which it expects to plug by the end of the month. “But as we approach a resolution on the leak, it is time to move forward on comprehensive legislation to prevent another incident from happening in our communities ever again”.
Zelda Rothman’s family blames the Porter Ranch gas leak for her death and has filed a lawsuit.
“This bill is a backstop”, Sherman said in a statement.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said Tuesday it is working on new regulations and has advised operators to review the safety of their facilities. She told fellow senators in a speech on the Senate floor that the leak was a “nightmare”.
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Boxer stood by a dramatic infrared photo that showed the otherwise invisible plume of methane-laced natural gas from the blowout. “People’s homes, their furniture, everything they’ve left behind is becoming infused with this horrid smell and the chemicals”, Boxer said.
