Hundreds of residents in Los Angeles have filed claims against governors and state agencies. They seek $3.5 million each in damages for gas blowout which was blamed on the government. The claims are the first batch of more than 3,000 other claims to be filed.
Reuters reported that R.Rex Paris, attorney for the claimants, said on Monday that more than 3,000 claims are expected to be filed by the end of this week. This open a new front in litigation from Aliso Canyon natural gas storage field, which a ruptured injection well at the site erupted methane into the air. The leak continued for four months until the leaked was plugged in the mid of February.
Incident began in late October last year when one of wells operated by Southern California Gas Co (SoCalGas) at Aliso Canyon sprung a leak. The leak released 97,000 tons of methane gas into the air, and recorded as the largest gas leak in the nation. Residents have complained of health problems such as headaches, nosebleeds and other symptoms.
Up to now, there are still around 1,400 people living in in temporary housing. The residents refused to to return due to fears of lingering contamination and health effects.
Last Friday, the first batch of 689 complaints had been filed accusing California Governor Jerry Brown for his key role in regulatory failure. The complaints were filed by R. Rex Parris as an attorney for the claimants. Globe News Wire reported the complains stated, "Governor Brown was silent despite his obligation to coordinate the State Emergency Plan . . . for the mitigation of the effects of any emergency in this state."
Last Saturday, another gas leak was reported, according to Los Angeles Daily News. Following the incident, the California Department of Conservation's Department of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) responded and was investigating the incident. DOGGR will report additional information after overseeing the operation. Chief deputy director of the California Department of Conservation Jason Marshall had explained the incident to Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council in an email on Saturday evening.
"Naturally, if there is a threat to public health, we'll be working with (the Governor's Office of Emergency Services) to advise as such, regardless of investigation status," the email said.
Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti has expressed his concerned about the report of the latest leak at the Aliso Canyon facility. As spokesman Carl Marziali said, "While the leak appears to have been contained, this latest episode underscores the urgency of the safety review underway at Aliso, and the need for us to move beyond fossil fuels to a future powered by clean energy."
Hundreds of residents in Los Angeles have filed claims against governors and state agencies, seeking 3.5 million in damages for gas blowout. While more than 3,00 claims are waiting to be filed by the end of this week.
