Brown Declares State Of Emergency At Porter Ranch Amid Massive Gas Leak

"Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday ordered new regulations, including stepped-up inspections and safety measures, for all natural gas storage facilities in California in response to the continuing leak that has displaced thousands of people in the Porter Ranch neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The emergency regulations would require Southern California Gas Co. and other operators of gas storage facilities to conduct daily inspections of wellheads using infrared leak-detection technology, verify the mechanical integrity of wells, measure gas flow and pressure and regularly test safety valves, among other steps.

Each facility would also have to draft a risk management plan that would examine the corrosion potential of pipes and other safety threats."

Tony Barboza reports for the Los Angeles Times January 6, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"California Massive Methane Leak By Numbers" (Climate Home)

"A Single Gas Well Leak Is California's Biggest Contributor To Climate Change" (Guardian)