Regulators to Use Infrared Cameras and Aircraft to Confirm End of Gas Leak

Local and state air-quality regulators announced a set of criteria today for determining whether airborne contaminants have returned to normal levels in the Porter Ranch area following the capping of the natural gas leak from the Aliso Canyon storage facility.

Regulators with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and California Air Resources Board said that in addition to the continued normal monitoring of air quality levels, they will also use infrared cameras and aircraft measurements to confirm the well that began spewing natural gas Oct. 23 is no longer leaking.

Officials noted that concentrations of methane measured by both agencies in the area in Porter Ranch and surrounding areas have significantly decreased since Thursday, when Southern California Gas Co. announced that it had temporarily capped the leak. The company is in the process of permanently sealing the leak.

With the leak stopped, however, the air regulators said they developed testing criteria to provide public assurance that the air will be safe.

“We are committed to continuing our intensive air monitoring efforts in and around Porter Ranch for an extended period of time to provide the community with specific information regarding their air quality,” said Barry Wallerstein, executive officer of AQMD.

As of last Wednesday, people from 4,645 households in the Porter Ranch area were living in temporary housing at Gas Co. expense.

According to the utility, 1,726 other households that had been relocated have already returned home. The Gas Co. said it also has installed 5,467 air scrubbers at Porter Ranch-area homes and performed “weatherization” work on 5,410 homes.

U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz joined a host of local officials today in the area to assess the Porter Ranch situation and discuss efforts to prevent a repeat of the leak. Moniz conceded that the government needs to consider tighter oversight of such storage facilities.

“Frankly, gas storage fields need a fresh look in terms of some of the regulatory requirements,” Moniz said.

Mayor Eric Garcetti said he was encouraged by the visit.

“I had a productive conversation with Secretary Moniz today, along with local, state and federal partners, to explore the steps we can take to keep our neighborhood residents safe and secure,” Garcetti said. “I am encouraged by our collaboration, and determined to support the people of Porter Ranch in every way, so they can return home with confidence in their families’ health and well-being.”

City News Service