One Well Capped, 114 to Go

Statement

Congressman Brad Sherman, who lives in Porter Ranch, issued the following statement:

"We are all pleased to learn that well SS.25, from which we experienced the largest gas leak in history, has been sealed.

"We should not be declaring victory, as the Aliso Canyon facility and the negligence of Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) continue to pose a threat to the community.

"We now need tough new regulations regarding the other 114 wells in the Aliso Canyon facility. We need 24/7 monitoring of each well, shown on a website so the public can see for themselves. We need deep subsurface safety valves on every well.

"The Aliso Canyon facility should continue to be shut down until we know it is safe.

"Residents should not have to return home until the air at the facility, and in a representative sample of homes, has been certified safe by state authorities. SoCalGas just announced that residents need to return by next Thursday even though truly thorough testing, including indoor air testing, has not yet been completed.

"This leak resulted from the negligence of SoCalGas. None of the costs should be passed through to customers. SoCalGas's insurance rates will go up, and none of that increase should be passed through to customers.

"Our office got the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to make Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to businesses that have been hurt by the leak. Loans of up to $2 million, at up to a 4% rate, are available to help businesses make payroll and pay operating expenses. Businesses can contact us at (818) 501-9200 or go to BradSherman.house.gov.

"And finally, the Department of Transportation's Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) should use its existing authority to regulate the storage of natural gas. If PHMSA does not exercise their authority, I have introduced legislation, the Gas Storage Safety Act, which would direct PHMSA to implement tough federal safety standards for gas storage."

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