Congressman Sherman Calls For Immediate Cross-Agency Solution to Porter Ranch Gas Leak

Washington DC – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), sent a letter to six federal, state and local agencies, as well as the SoCalGas Company, calling for coordination and cooperation in finding a solution to the Porter Ranch gas leak.

The letter is addressed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the California Department of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources, the California Public Utilities Commission, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and the Southern California Gas Company.

"I am asking that all parties put aside for the moment which agency has the appropriate jurisdiction here," said Congressman Sherman. "This is not about blame or liability; this is about fixing the leak as quickly as possible. All the parties addressed in my letter have specific expertise that can help determine additional solutions to stop this leak more quickly than the relief well strategy."

"The relief well will not be complete until February, which is an unacceptable time frame. If they are not already doing so, I propose that SoCalGas withdraw as much gas from the facility as possible, and not limit that extraction based on how much they can sell. The more gas extracted and used to generate electricity, the less gas will leak into the environment."

Read Sherman's Full Letter here:

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