Skip to main content

Congressman Sherman: “Residents Should Not Return Home Until Air Quality is Tested”

February 11, 2016

Washington DC –Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) who lives in the Porter Ranch community (site of the largest natural gas leak in history), released the following statement after reports that SoCalGas will soon cap the leaking well (SS.25) at the Aliso Canyon storage facility:

“Before residents return home, we must be sure that air quality levels have returned to normal. When the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) determines that the leaking well has been capped, that does not necessarily mean it will be safe for displaced families to move back home.

“I am asking the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to complete a thorough testing of the air around the roughly 3,600 acre facility and the surrounding neighborhoods. Once the air quality for the entire facility and the Porter Ranch community has returned to normal, residents can feel comfortable returning back to their homes and their normal routines.

“I am pleased that SoCalGas has given residents 8 days to return to their homes as opposed to their initial time frame of 48 hours – however, I do not believe the clock should start until CARB has verified safe air quality levels.

“It’s not enough to seal the leak; we must test the air to the highest safety standards. There should be no unacceptable levels of mercaptan, benzene, or any volatile organic compounds found in the air. Even if SS.25 has been capped, there are many wells in this facility, and we ought to be sure none of them are leaking noxious gas.”

-30-