On Tuesday morning, several residents near the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility – the site of the largest gas leak in U.S. history – reported hearing a loud noise followed by the strong smell of gas.
The Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) did not immediately notify community members of any gas leak, but a statement from SoCalGas later confirmed their suspicions. They reported that on Jan. 27 at about 7 a.m., “A safety valve on an aboveground pipeline at the Aliso Canyon natural gas facility activated, temporarily venting natural gas to the atmosphere. … The release of natural gas lasted under 20 minutes and was safely stopped by operators at the field.”
In addition, they stated, “The odor dissipated quickly once the venting stopped,” adding that preliminary reports indicate the safety valve was activated by ice in a pipeline. “Operators at the facility are inspecting the impacted pipeline … and [will] make any needed repairs,” concluding that the incident “did not impact other operations at Aliso Canyon.”
But this response has area residents outraged.
“SoCalGas continues to demonstrate that it can’t operate a safe facility,” said Patty Glueck of Aliso Moms Alliance. “From the Dec. 27 pipeline rupture in Castaic to [this] infrastructure problem that caused … a hazardous toxic soup of carcinogens and other chemicals into our environment, those who live near this facility have good reason to want it closed down.”
Matt Pakucko, president and co-founder of Save Porter Ranch, said the Jan. 27 incident was a warning, like the previous warnings before the catastrophic Aliso Canyon gas blowout in 2015.
“A decade ago, we warned our leaders. They documented the warning, but they ignored it,” said Pakucko. “The system degraded exactly as predicted. Then the site detonated. People died exactly as expected. Officials said ‘no one could have known,’ but the records say otherwise. That is exactly where we are with SoCalGas’s Aliso Canyon storage disaster – waiting.”
Congressman Brad Sherman released a clear statement regarding this week’s gas leak at Aliso Canyon: “Shut it down.” He supports the view of nearby residents.
“I have been fighting to close this natural gas storage facility down. [SoCalGas] has refused to even try to develop a natural gas delivery system that is not dependent upon Aliso Canyon,” said Sherman. “The California Public Utilities Commission [CPUC] has refused to require the development of a plan to shut Aliso Canyon down. … We have no idea whether [the] gas leak was more significant than described … but we know that [the] gas leak shows that it is long past time to shut it down.”
After the release later this year of the CPUC Energy Division’s Aliso Canyon Biennial Assessment Report – which recommends a reduction in storage capacity at Aliso Canyon – the CPUC will review whether it will maintain or reduce the current storage capacity at the facility.
After the Aliso Canyon catastrophe – which released over 100,000 tons of methane over four months between 2015 and 2016, displaced 10,000 families and reportedly caused detrimental health effects – SoCalGas and state regulators implemented enhanced safety measures and other changes, and assured community members the facility was safe to resume operations in July 2017. Despite repeated assurances, many activists and community members remained unconvinced, and there were continued reports regarding possible leaks and safety concerns.
The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation is planning to invest $14 million from the Aliso Canyon gas leak legal settlement awarded following the 2015 disaster, and is seeking community input on how to use the funds. They are holding listening sessions throughout the year. The sessions are open to residents impacted by the 2015 Aliso Canyon gas leak, and those who live or work in Porter Ranch, Northridge, Granada Hills, North Hills, Chatsworth, Reseda, Canoga Park, Winnetka, West Hills, Van Nuys and Lake Balboa.
To learn more about community safety concerns on this and other environmental issues, go to: www.foodandwaterwatch.org.
For information on upcoming listening sessions, follow: www.instagram.com/cal.lci.