California’s attorney general files charges against SoCalGas over L.A.’s catastrophic methane gas leak

California’s Attorney General Office has filed a lawsuit against the Southern California Gas Company for failing to initially report the massive methane leak near Los Angeles.

The leak, which began in October, has forced some 3,000 families and businesses to be evacuated from the Porter Ranch area, roughly 25 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. So far, the well has released over 91,000 metric tons of methane into the atmosphere.

“The impact of this unprecedented gas leak is devastating to families in our state, our environment, and our efforts to combat global warming. Southern California Gas Company must be held accountable,” Attorney General Kamala Harris in a statement.

Screen Shot 2016-02-03 at 4.25.09 PM
Kamala Harris (Atlanta Black Star)

“This gas leak has caused significant damage to the Porter Ranch community as well as our statewide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the impacts of climate change.”

The lawsuit states that SoCalGas allegedly failed to control the leak in a timely manner, and it claims the company has violated California’s health and safety laws. Harris is acting independently as Attorney General as well as on behalf of the California Air Resources Board, according to Think Progress.

Reports say that Porter Ranch residents and Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Fueur have also joined in a class action suit against SoCalGas.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *