Gas company criticized for uncontrolled methane leak near Porter Ranch - LA Times
▻http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-gas-company-taken-to-task-over-gas-leak-near-porter-ranch-20151124
Un article du 24 novembre
Air quality officials have cited Southern California Gas Co. officials over a month-long gas leak that has been sickening residents in the San Fernando Valley community of Porter Ranch, and county supervisors sharply criticized the utility Tuesday over the issue.
Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who represents the affected area, called a potentially lengthy timeline to fix the problem “nonsensical and irresponsible.”
The leak at the gas company’s Aliso Canyon storage facility in the Santa Susana Mountains began Oct. 23 and is emitting methane at a rate of about 50,000 kilograms per hour, accounting for about one-quarter of all methane emissions in California.
The leak is also emitting mercaptons, additives that give the natural gas a sulfur-like smell and can cause symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, headaches and nosebleeds. Porter Ranch residents have been complaining of those symptoms since the leak began.
l’afp s’en fait l’écho un mois plus tard
Unis dans un recours collectif, plusieurs habitants du lotissement privé adjacent ont porté plainte contre la compagnie de gaz du sud de la Californie (SoCal Gas) et obtenu gain de cause cette semaine.
SoCal Gas a désormais l’obligation de trouver un logement temporaire dans les 72 heures pour tous les résidents de Porter Ranch qui en font la demande, une mesure qui avait déjà concerné 2.147 familles mercredi.
Des centaines d’autres ont de leur propre chef quitté les lieux et retiré leurs enfants des écoles après que la fuite a été identifiée le 23 octobre.