REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ STATEMENT ON PORTER RANCH GAS LEAK SEALING
Washington, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after California officials announced that the leaking natural gas well near Porter Ranch has been permanently sealed and taken out of service:
“I am pleased to hear that the natural gas leak at the Aliso Canyon Storage Facility has finally been sealed. Over the last four months, this natural gas leak has displaced and compromised the health of thousands of Porter Ranch families.
“Although the leak has allegedly been stopped, I am still concerned about the long-term effects on Californians’ health and our environment.
“Furthermore, I am gravely concerned about potential future gas leaks across California. California has many equally outdated natural gas wells and storage facilities which lack sufficient safety mechanisms to prevent similar catastrophic leaks.
“Immediate oversight and regulation is crucial to prevent further catastrophes within California’s aging infrastructure.”
Earlier this month, Rep. Sanchez sent a letter to President Barack Obama; EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy; and Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx, urging immediate action and federal oversight to protect Californians’ health and safety, and to prevent any future disastrous natural gas leaks.
Rep. Sanchez is an original co-sponsor of the Underground Gas Storage Safety Act, which enacts emergency temporary regulatory requirements in addition to creating rules for natural gas storage facilities. The bill also funds grants for research and development on natural gas storage safety and empowers states to create stricter regulations.
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Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is proud to represent California’s 46th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Santa Ana, and parts of the cities of Garden Grove and Orange in Orange County. She serves as a senior member on the Committee on Homeland Security and the House Armed Services Committee, and as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces.
