Aliso Canyon Gas Leak: Know Your Rights

Since October of last year, SoCal Gas’s reservoir at Aliso Canyon has been leaking methane and other natural gases. SoCal has been trying to cap the leak and stop the flow of natural gas, but has so far been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, thousands of residents have had to evacuate the nearby areas because of health and safety concerns. What does the Aliso Canyon gas leak mean for you?

How Did The Aliso Canyon Gas Leak Happen?

SoCal Gas and other utilities store natural gas in large reservoirs so they can provide it to the public on demand. The reservoir at Aliso Canyon provides natural gas to 21 million customers and 14 power plants. Natural gas is difficult to contain and leaks are common, so employees didn’t immediately panic when they first noticed a leak in late October. However, the leak still hadn’t stopped after several days of attempted fixes.

Natural gas wells reach deep underground, meaning it’s very difficult to make repairs. So, many wells are equipped with safety valves so that they can be shut off from above ground to prevent further leakage while the time-consuming repairs are made. However, the well that’s leaking in Aliso Canyon has no safety valve – it was removed in 1979 because it was old and leaking. Regulations require that “critical wells” – those within 100 feet of roads or parks or within 300 feet of homes – have safety valves. The Aliso Canyon well was far enough away from any homes or roads that it wasn’t legally required to have a valve. So, SoCal Gas declined to replace the one they removed in 1979.

To make matters worse, the well itself was old and in poor repair. Modern natural gas wells are sealed in cement from the surface to the bottom to prevent the steel pipes from corroding and cracking underground. Older wells, like the one that’s currently leaking, weren’t cemented along their entire lengths. After decades underground, exposed to water and dirt, the steel pipes wear out and leak – that’s how the Aliso Canyon gas leak happened. Natural gas is now spewing out from a leak in the exposed pipe hundreds of feet underground and coming up through the ground into the air.

Why Can’t They Stop It?

Because the leak is so deep underground, SoCal can’t simply patch it. There are a number of methods that can be used to stop a natural gas leak, including pouring a heavier liquid down the well to stop the natural gas from flowing out. SoCal Gas has tried that method a number of times but have been unsuccessful. Now, the only way to stop the leak is to drill a relief well that will intercept the leaking well 8,000 feet underground. The work will take months. Workers must move slowly and cautiously – the natural gas welling up from the ground could cause the hillside to collapse or could even explode.

This single leak has released more methane than burning 850 million gallons of gasoline would. It’s been flowing for 3 months and the relief well won’t be completed before the end of February, at the earliest.

What Does This Mean For Me?

The natural gas itself is odorless and colorless but it’s treated with chemicals called “odorants” so that people can smell a leak if it happens in their homes. SoCal Gas reports that the natural gas itself is harmless, adding that it dissipates quickly enough to decrease the risk of ignition. It also states that the odorants used to make the gas smell are harmless at the concentrations used in natural gas.

That said, the smell in the surrounding area is strong and many people are complaining of nausea, vomiting, headaches, rashes and other side effects from exposure to the gas and odorants. As a result, more than 6,500 homes in the Porter Ranch area have been evacuated.

If you feel nauseated or develop other symptoms and live near the leak, you should leave the area immediately. Note that the gas is invisible but you will probably be able to smell it. SoCal Gas is providing free accommodations for those displaced by the leak; you’ll need to call SoCal at 404-497-6808 to get your accommodations.

Legal Issues Surrounding The Aliso Canyon Gas Leak

SoCal Gas is facing a number of lawsuits from regulatory agencies, including local air regulators and the Los Angeles DA. The suits allege that SoCal knew about the leak for days before reporting it, that it failed to act quickly enough to stop it, and that it was negligent in designing, constructing, and maintaining the well, among other concerns. In addition, many residents of the areas affected by the Aliso Canyon gas leak have filed their own lawsuits against the utility. One of those suits alleges that the leak caused the wrongful death of a local woman.

If you’ve suffered health problems due to the leak, you may be entitled to compensation from SoCal Gas. You may also be entitled to compensation if you were forced to evacuate your home or business. Utility companies deal with dangerous and volatile substances all the time and the law holds them responsible for the safety of the public.

If you were affected, you should speak to an experienced local attorney as soon as possible to learn about your legal rights and options. SoCal Gas also allows you to make a claim directly through its website, but it’s best to consult with an attorney to ensure that you’re getting everything you deserve. Once you accept a settlement, you lose the right to ask for more later.