Description: Action against owner and operator of a leaking natural gas storage facility in California seeking civil penalties for creation of public nuisance.
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California ex rel. South Coast Air Quality Management District v. Southern California Gas Co.
Case Documents:
Filing Date Type File Action Taken Summary 02/07/2017 Settlement Agreement Download Settlement reached. South Coast Air Quality Management District and Southern California Gas Reached Settlement Over Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Leak. Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), the owner of the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility that experienced a natural gas leak beginning in October 2015, reached a settlement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to resolve claims by SCAQMD related to the leak. SoCalGas agreed to pay the SCAQMD $8.5 million, including $1 million to fully fund a health study, $5.650 million for annual emissions fees, $1.6 million for air quality monitoring costs incurred by SCAQMD, and $250,000 for legal fees and costs. One million dollars of the emissions fees were to fund a project in conjunction with a company that produces fuel from biosolids or, if an agreement could not be reached with that company, to fund another clear air technology project. 01/26/2016 Complaint Download Complaint filed. Air Regulator Filed Public Nuisance Action Stemming from Leak at Southern California Gas Storage Facility. On January 26, 2016, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) commenced a public nuisance action against Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), the owner and operator of the Aliso Canyon Storage Facility, a natural gas storage facility at which a leak was discovered in October 2015. The complaint alleged that odors and adverse health effects had forced people living in the communities near the facility to leave their homes, and that the leak had also contributed to global warming and increased the risks of harm from global warming by emitting billions of cubic feet of methane into the atmosphere. The lawsuit asserted statutory public nuisance claims, claims of statutory violations that caused actual injury, and claims of negligent and knowing emission of air contaminants in violation of statutes. The complaint sought civil penalties.