Skip to main content

Congressman Sherman to Gov. Jerry Brown: “Declare a State of Emergency"

January 6, 2016

Sherman Oaks – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) called on Governor Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency regarding the leaking gas well at Southern California Gas Co.'s ("SoCalGas") storage facility above Porter Ranch.

"I'm calling upon our Governor to do what is necessary to end this leak as soon as possible," said Congressman Sherman. "Ultimately, SoCalGas should foot the bill for the repairs, but declaring a state of emergency would immediately free up resources and grant the necessary authority for state agencies to stop the leak in the most efficient possible way. There are thousands of Porter Ranch residents who wish to return to their homes immediately. For those residents, this is an emergency."

The leak is releasing methane at a rate estimated at 110,000 pounds per hour. The noxious gas emanating from the leaking well has been sickening residents of the Porter Ranch neighborhood of Los Angeles, causing headaches, nose bleeds and dizziness. More than 2,000 Porter Ranch residents have been forced to relocate, with 3,000 additional residents in the process of being relocated. The relief well, which is intended to intercept and kill the leaking well at some 8,000 feet below the ground, will not be complete until late February at the earliest.

See Congressman Sherman's letter to Governor Jerry Brown here:

-30-