Southern California Gas Settles With Prosecutor Over Leak
September 13 2016 - 5:20PM
Dow Jones News
LOS ANGELES—The utility responsible for a massive gas leak that
drove thousands of families from their Los Angeles homes pleaded no
contest to a criminal charge on Tuesday as part of a $4 million
settlement with prosecutors.
The deal requires Southern California Gas Co. to adopt an
expensive leak-monitoring system at its Aliso Canyon facility that
goes beyond federal and state requirements, Los Angeles County
District Attorney Jackie Lacey said.
"The protections put in place by this agreement create a safer
facility for its employees, the environment and the surrounding
communities," Ms. Lacey said.
The company pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of failing
to immediately report the gas leak to state officials when it was
discovered on Oct. 23. Prosecutors said the utility waited three
days before notifying the state Office of Emergency Services.
The gas well that wasn't plugged until February led more than
8,000 families to move out of their homes in the Porter Ranch area
of the San Fernando Valley. Many complained of headaches,
nosebleeds and nausea during the event that scientists said was the
largest known release of climate-changing methane in U.S.
history.
The settlement includes the maximum fine of $75,000, plus a
penalty of $232,000.
The district attorney said an infrared leak-detection system is
expected to cost more than $1 million to install and more than $2
million to staff and monitor with six full-time employees over the
next three years.
SoCalGas said the settlement was "another important step in our
efforts to put the leak behind us and to win back the trust of the
community."
--Copyright 2016, the Associated Press
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 13, 2016 17:05 ET (21:05 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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