US$120M settlement reached in huge 2015 Los Angeles gas leak
by Brian Melley, The Associated Press
The leak lasted nearly four months, prompted many health complaints, and was the largest single release of methane in U.S. history
LOS ANGELES—A nearly US$120 million temporary settlement has been reached in litigation stemming from a leak at a Southern California storage field where a massive methane release forced thousands from their homes three years ago, a utility announced Wednesday.
Southern California Gas Co. said the settlement delivers on its commitment to the state following the October 2015 well leak at Aliso Canyon in Los Angeles.
The leak lasted nearly four months and prompted many health complaints. It was the largest single release of methane in U.S. history.
Under the settlement, SoCalGas will reimburse local, county and state governments for costs associated with the blowout. In addition the utility will fund local environmental benefit projects and establish a program with the California Air Resources Board to mitigate the methane emissions from the leak.
The settlement is temporary because it is subject to court approval. If approved, it will resolve all claims alleged in lawsuits.
Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and other officials planned to discuss the agreement at a Wednesday press conference.
SoCalGas said “comprehensive safety enhancements” have been introduced at Aliso Canyon. The utility also agreed to continue a new methane monitoring program and hire an independent ombudsman to monitor and report on safety at the facility.
Operations at the facility resumed in July 2017. SoCal Gas said it had met and sometimes exceeded the state’s safety requirements, and it needed to increase its inventory at the storage field to avoid an energy shortage.
Los Angeles County unsuccessfully tried to keep the facility closed until it showed it could safely withstand an earthquake. A judge ruled he did not have authority to override a reopen order from the California Public Utilities Commission. Appeals court judges shot down efforts to halt the restart.
State officials said the facility was safe and that the earthquake fears were overblown.
—Associated Press writer Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
