SoCalGas to Vent Natural Gas Again Near Culver City

CULVER CITY, CA -- The Southern California Gas Company advised Culver City-area residents not to be alarmed Thursday if they detect the smell of natural gas in the air.

Southern California Gas Co. crews on Thursday will again be venting some natural gas near the Sepulveda Boulevard intersections with Tennessee and Massachusetts avenues in West Los Angeles as part of an ongoing maintenance project.

SoCalGas officials say no customers will be affected by the work and no road closures are expected. Residents may smell natural gas in the air, but the gas is non-toxic and is being released in a way that it will dissipate safely, according to the Gas Co.

Crews "vent" pipelines by safely releasing natural gas as they prepare for routine pipeline maintenance, she said.

"Natural gas is non-toxic and lighter than air, so escaping gas will rise and dissipate safely," SoCalGas spokeswoman Rosa Maria Santana said. "Since natural gas is colorless and odorless, a non-toxic smell is added as a safety precaution. This added odor allows the public to detect leaks that may occur."

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of SoCalGas