WOODLAND HILLS >> State regulators were prepared to say the Aliso Canyon gas field that spewed the largest methane leak in the nation may be safe enough to refill with natural gas and supply fuel for energy-hungry Los Angeles.
But then hundreds of angry residents Wednesday evening disrupted a packed three-hour public hearing in Woodland Hills to call for putting a halt to immediately reopening the Southern California Gas. Co facility.
Their message: First determine the cause of the four-month leak, or shut down the 3,600-acre gas field just north of Porter Ranch forever.
“I’ve seen the nosebleeds, the nausea and the pets you’ve lost,” said state Sen. Henry Stern, D-Canoga Park, author of a pending bill to delay the opening until a cause is found, who urged calm so the meeting could continue. “This is not about politics. It’s about protecting Porter Ranch and the North Valley. It’s about righting wrongs. And it’s about getting your lives back on track. I’ve got your back.”
• VIDEO: Porter Ranch residents protest at Aliso Canyon meeting
The two-day public hearing hosted by state oil and gas regulators outlined sweeping safety measures conducted at the Aliso Canyon gas field near Porter Ranch and discussed the feasibility of the facility. It also drew public feedback — nearly three hours of mostly angry responses — on whether to resume gas injections.
The hearing required by law by the California Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources resumes at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hilton Woodland Hills at 6360 Canoga Ave. Written comments can be submitted at conservation.ca.gov/dog before 5 p.m. Monday.
It comes nearly a year after a ruptured well that released a record 100,000 metric tons of methane into the air for four months was sealed in February.
A recommendation by state regulators on whether to reopen Aliso Canyon is expected to come as early as next week.
The October 2015 blowout, considered the largest in the nation, forced more than 8,000 families and two elementary schools to relocate at gas company expense. Thousands complained of nosebleeds, nausea and headaches.
The leak also resulted in an avalanche of local, state and federal natural gas regulations, as well as hundreds of civil lawsuits and penalties against SoCalGas.
The company, which claims it has made comprehensive safety improvements to strengthen Aliso Canyon, monitor pressure and update residents, said this week it was ready to refill its field with gas injections.
The Sempra-owned utility, in conjunction with Los Angeles business leaders, says the field is needed to help fuel power plants, businesses and millions of urban homes as well as to prevent blackouts during peak energy use in summer and winter.
Consistent with state law, SoCalGas said in a statement, “We support the public’s participation in this week’s public hearings.”
• RELATED STORY: SoCalGas withdraws natural gas from Aliso Canyon field, citing high demand after storm
Environmental activists, residents and some public officials, however, say the gas field is no longer needed to supply energy as Los Angeles pushes for cleaner power. Many also question the adequacy of gas-well testing, the risk of well failures from earthquakes and how much pressure should be used to maintain the field.
An hour before the hearing, dozens of protesters bearing such signs as “Stop polluting Porter Ranch” filled the sidewalk in front of the Hilton Hotel to call upon Gov. Jerry Brown to reject a SoCalGas application to reopen Aliso Canyon. Some held photos of nosebleeds allegedly caused by the gas leak.
Famed environmental activist Erin Brockovich called for the closure of the Aliso Canyon gas field.
“When is this going to end?” asked Matt Pakucko, president of Save Porter Ranch, a residents’ group. “We’re not going to take anything less than this place (being) shut down.”
• PHOTOS: Porter Ranch residents protest at Aliso Canyon meeting
The public hearing was supposed to open with presentations by the state oil and gas division on a sweeping safety review in addition to reduced gas field volume and pressure limits planned for Aliso Canyon. It was to be followed by a review of how much gas was needed for energy reliability for Los Angeles.
The division has approved the safety of 34 of 114 wells, with 38 more having completed all the required tests. Safety measures include 50 miles of new steel pipe limited for gas injection and withdrawals.
But moments before the state presentation, about half the standing-room hall of 400 residents stood up in protest. A meeting moderator threatened to shut down the proceeding.
“If you cannot absolutely say what caused the Aliso Canyon leak, then this facility is not safe,” Packuko shouted through an electronic bullhorn.
“Shut it all down … forever!” the protesters chanted.
“This is shameful, this is shameful. You are better than this,” interjected Issam Najm, a board member of the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council, an engineer and author of a critical letter this week on Aliso Canyon. “Please, this is no way to hold a public meeting.”
Then Stern, Los Angeles Councilman Mitch Englander and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger each urged calm. Each have filed motions supporting Stern’s Senate Bill 146 that calls for answers about why an Aliso Canyon well blew before deliberation about reopening the facility.
“I’ve been with you from the very beginning,” said Englander, who said he can see the gas field from his home in Granada Hills. “We’re going to keep fighting until this community is made safe and this community is made whole.”
• RELATED STORY: SoCalGas says Aliso Canyon gas field is ready to reopen
Meeting officials made good on their earlier promise and shut down the hearing an hour early as the disruptions continued.
Dan Smith, who has lived in the north Valley for nearly a quarter century, had hoped to testify about buying a dream home with his new bride, Lulu, in Porter Ranch. Then the blowout occurred three years later.
“Then we got sick,” said Smith, 54. “Rashes. Nosebleeds, Anxiety.
“Shut it down,” he said of Aliso Canyon. “They have no other alternative. They don’t need it. It’s making us sick.”
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