LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles
City Councilmember Mitchell Englander introduced a motion on
Jan. 13, 2016 requesting
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) to "recognize
and extend our relocation efforts to include the communities of
Granada Hills, Chatsworth and Northridge, and that we treat the residents in
those communities with the same respect and priority as anyone with
a reasonable relocation request."
SoCalGas is already offering relocation services for residents
in the three aforementioned communities. In fact, approximately ten
percent of the customers receiving relocation, air purification and
weatherization services reside in those communities.
Areas eligible for relocation are based on data provided by
South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). The attached
map shows the approximate location of the residential odor
complaints received by SCAQMD. Requests for relocation outside of a
five-mile radius from the incident site are being reviewed on a
case-by-case basis.
At SoCalGas, we understand that each family's situation is
unique and every individual reacts differently to the odorant used
in our natural gas. To that end, our temporary relocation
specialists take a careful case-by-case approach for each request,
attempting to the best of our ability, to meet each request with
sensitivity and excellent customer service.
Moreover, the emissions are decreasing as are complaints of
odor. On Jan. 11, 2016, the
California Air Resources Board (CARB) posted its rough preliminary
estimates of emissions which indicate that the volume of gas
leaking from the well at Aliso Canyon has decreased 60 percent from
its preliminary estimates on Nov. 28. The odor complaints
received by the SCAQMD have also dropped significantly since the
incident with the peak in odor complaints occurring between
mid-November and December. Of the 1946 total complaints
received by SCAQMD since Oct. 24,
2015, only approximately 7 percent of the total complaints
were made this year.
Temporary Relocation Process, Placement,
Reimbursement
For residents in the impacted community who
wish to relocate, we are providing free, temporary housing
accommodations, including locations that can accommodate residents
with special needs. For residents with pets, we have arranged
pet-friendly locations.
Given the time it may take to stop the flow of gas (currently on
schedule to be completed by late February to late March), we're
working to provide residents with extended stay and more home-like
accommodations.
We have established multiple ways to support residents during
this unfortunate situation:
- Dedicated website www.alisoupdates.com
- Community Resource Center located at 19731 Rinaldi St., just
north of Starbucks in the Porter Ranch Town Center. Hours: Monday -
Friday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and weekends
10 am. - 6 p.m.
- Dedicated phone lines for claims or temporary relocation
assistance:
-
Claims: (213)
244-5151 AlisonCanyon@socalgas.com
- Relocation: (877) 238-9555
Further, for Porter Ranch
families whose children's schools have been temporarily relocated,
we are working with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
to provide support where needed. These families can consider the
following school transportation options for their children: LAUSD
bus transportation; mileage reimbursement for families who choose
to drive their children themselves; and alternative transportation
reimbursement, with pre approval by SoCalGas.
About Southern California Gas Co.
Southern California
Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to
its customers for more than 140 years. It is the nation's largest
natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 21.4 million
consumers connected through 5.9 million meters in more than 500
communities. The company's service territory encompasses
approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and
Southern California, from
Visalia to the Mexican border.
Southern California Gas Co. is a regulated subsidiary of sempra.com
(NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in
San Diego.
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SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.