Aliso Canyon Gas Leak Drove 1,000s From Homes In 2015; Now CA Regulators OK Expanding Drilling

[hatrack]

California regulators voted Thursday to increase the capacity of a Los Angeles natural gas storage field, where a 2015 blowout caused the nation’s largest-ever methane leak and forced thousands from their homes. Locals, environmental advocates, and lawmakers have called for the closure of the facility, which has been approved to increase more than 20% in capacity.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted unanimously to increased the storage capacity of the underground Aliso Canyon field to 41bn cubic feet (1.1bn cubic meters) of natural gas from 34bn cubic feet (962m cubic meters), citing concerns that winter energy needs could otherwise go unmet. “Our decision today helps ensure energy reliability for the Los Angeles Basin this winter in a safe and reliable manner,” Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves said in a statement, adding that the agency will continue considering how to close the facility as California transitions to “a clean energy economy”. Officials also framed the plan as a compromise. An alternative plan proposed an increase to more than 68bn cubic feet – Aliso Canyon’s maximum capacity.

Ed. - Emphasis added.

EDIT

A well failure on 23 October 2015 led to the release of nearly 100,000 tons of methane and other substances into the air for nearly four months before it was controlled. The blowout was blamed for sickening thousands of residents who moved out of their homes near the San Fernando Valley to escape a sulfurous stench and maladies such as headaches, nausea and nose bleeds.

EDIT

SoCalGas spent more than $1bn on the the blowout, with most of the sum going toward temporarily relocating 8,000 families. State regulators found SoCalGas failed to investigate previous well failures at the storage site and didn’t adequately assess its aging wells for disaster potential before the blowout. Last month, SoCalGas and its parent company, Sempra Energy, agreed to pay up to $1.8bn to settle lawsuits by 35,000 people. The agreement is subject to about 97% of plaintiffs accepting it and could be reduced if fewer agree.

EDIT

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/05/california-expansion-natural-gas-leak-2015-aliso-canyon

[quaint]

1. Much more to come...