L.A. Sues SoCal Gas Over Monthlong Porter Ranch Leak

Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer announced Monday that he has filed a lawsuit against the Southern California Gas Company related to a leak at its natural gas storage facility in Porter Ranch.

Residents have filed more than 700 complaints to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, saying the odor is causing severe headaches, nosebleeds and has prompted burning sensations in some people’s lungs and noses. Hundreds of residents have evacuated the area since the gas leak began over a month ago.

The lawsuit claims the gas leak is worsening climate change by emitting the same amount of greenhouse gas in one hour as 200,000 cars running for one year.

The legal move comes a week after the R. Rex Parris Law Firm filed a class-action lawsuit against SoCal Gas and its parent company, Sempra Energy.

Feuer's lawsuit seeks a court order that would make sure the leak is repaired as quickly as possible, to find out what caused it and to prevent a similar event in the future.

He also wants the utility to make sure that any systemic flaws at the Aliso Canyon storage facility and other facilities are addressed, and to impose penalties of $2,500 per day for each violation.

SoCal Gas "has been negligent in their responsibility to protect public health and safety with their operations and has caused real harm to their host community," Feuer said.

Read the full story via KPCC