Gas Co. to Move Evacuated Residents to Apartments

PORTER RANCH, CA - Porter Ranch-area residents living in hotels funded by Southern California Gas Co. in response to the now-capped Aliso Canyon gas leak will be moved to newly leased apartments, the utility announced today.

And since residents will be living in apartments that are more like homes -- with full kitchens -- the Gas Co. plans to end reimbursements such as daily meal allowances.

The announcement comes two days after a state appeals court ordered the company to continue paying for the temporary housing until at least April 27, when the court will hear arguments from attorneys about whether the housing program should be continued or residents should be forced to move back to their homes.

According to the Gas Co., hotel rooms were originally rented for residents in the belief that the temporary housing program would end 48 hours after the gas leak was capped -- which occurred Feb. 18. Los Angeles County and city officials, however, filed court papers arguing that homes and neighborhoods needed more testing to ensure there were no lingering health threats before residents should be forced to return home. That court action has resulted in the continuation of the program.

"To address the longer-term nature of the relocation, SoCalGas has secured and will directly pay for high quality apartment-style residences that have many of the same amenities as a home and long-term leases that help avoid repeated moves between hotels," according to the Gas Co.

The first group of affected residents -- those living in rooms from the company's "largest temporary housing provider" -- will have until next Friday to relocate. They will have until Monday to fill out a form selecting a new location.

"In addition, because SoCalGas is now able to provide more stable and roomier housing where residents can prepare regular meals, reimbursements associated with hotel stays, including daily meal allowances, will be discontinued once residents have moved into a temporary residence," according to SoCalGas.

Other residents will be notified when apartments have been leased for them. Until then, those residents will be allowed to remain in hotels -- with meal reimbursements -- through May 2, according to the Gas Co.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich blasted the move, saying the Gas Co. should give residents the option of remaining in hotel rooms, instead of forcing them to move to apartments.

"The Gas Co. should prioritize the needs of the victims rather than their own bottom line," he said. "Instead of shuffling residents from place to place, the Gas Co. should focus on full and timely reimbursement for the many displaced families for expenses they have already incurred as a result of the Gas Co.'s own negligence and disregard for public safety."

The Aliso Canyon gas leak was discovered Oct. 23. It was unofficially capped on Feb. 11, when a relief well intercepted the leaking one. The leak was declared sealed one week later after crews pumped cement through the relief well, cutting off the flow of gas.

City News Service