January 14 Update on Aliso Activities

An update on Aliso activities as of January 14:

Community Update:

  • On January 13th, approximately 333 people visited the Community Resource Center for guidance on securing temporary accommodations, how to file a claim, and how to get free home air filtration and weather stripping to reduce odor, and other questions. The Community Resource Center is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
  • The Community Resource Center is located at 19731 Rinaldi St. just south of Ralphs grocery store in the Porter Ranch Town Center
  • On January 13th, 99 emails were handled
  • View an informational video on why Aliso on Storage facility matters. http://www.imageworkcom.com/IWC_Clients/16/SCG_Why_Aliso_Canyon_Matters_v3/

Media

  • SoCalGas issued the below media statement in response to the City of LA’s January 13 motion to expand relocation.
  • Over 20 media inquiries yesterday on a variety of topics
  • Website updates
  • Community bulletin via email and postal service
  • Weekly update provided to national wire

SoCalGas Statement on Los Angeles City Council Motion on Expanded Relocation

Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitchell Englander introduced a motion on 1/13/16 requesting SoCalGas to “recognize and extend our relocation efforts to include the communities of Granada Hills, Chatsworth and Northridge, and that we treat the residents in those communities with the same respect and priority as anyone with a reasonable relocation request.”

SoCalGas is already offering relocation services for residents in the three aforementioned communities. In fact, approximately ten percent of the customers receiving relocation, air purification and weatherization services reside in those communities.

Areas eligible for relocation are based on data provided by South Coast Air Quality Management District (“SCAQMD”).  Please refer to the attached map which shows the approximate location of the residential odor complaints received by SCAQMD.  Requests for relocation outside of a 5-mile radius from the incident site are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

At SoCalGas, we understand that each family’s situation is unique; and every individual reacts differently to the odorant used in our natural gas.  To that end, our temporary relocation specialists take a careful case-by-case approach for each request, attempting to the best of our ability, to meet each request with sensitivity and excellent customer service.

Moreover, the emissions are decreasing as are complaints of odor.  On January 11, 2016, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) posted its rough preliminary estimates of emissions which indicate that the volume of gas leaking from the well at Aliso Canyon has decreased 60 percent from its preliminary estimates on November 28.  The odor complaints received by the SCAQMD have also dropped significantly since the incident with the peak in odor complaints occurring between mid-November and December.  Of the 1946 total complaints received by SCAQMD since October 24, 2015, only approximately 7% of the total complaints were made this year.

Temporary Relocation Process, Placement, Reimbursement

For residents in the impacted community who wish to relocate, we are providing free, temporary housing accommodations, including locations that can accommodate residents with special needs.  For residents with pets, we have arranged pet-friendly locations.

Given the time it may take to stop the flow of gas (currently on schedule to be completed by late February to late March), we’re working to provide residents with extended stay and more home-like accommodations.

We have established multiple ways to support residents during this unfortunate situation:

  • Dedicated website www.alisoupdates.com
  • Community Resource Center located at 19731 Rinaldi St., just north of Starbucks in the Porter Ranch Town Center. Hours: M-F 10-8; Weekends 10-6.
  • Dedicated phone lines for claims or temporary relocation assistance.

Further, for Porter Ranch families whose children’s schools have been temporarily relocated, we are working with LAUSD to provide support where needed. These families can consider the following school transportation options for their children: LAUSD bus transportation; mileage reimbursement for families who choose to drive their children themselves; and alternative transportation reimbursement, with pre approval by SoCalGas.

Operations Update:

  • No incidents to report
  • SS-25
    • The 3rd tray is not yet placed, will stage in next few days
    • Meeting to review design of gas capture mechanism was facilitated by CalOSHA and CPUC
  • Relief well 1
    • Actively drilled to 7710 ft. (measured depth)
    • Ranging run #12 completed at 7600 ft, ranging run #13 to be performed at 7710 ft
  • Relief well 2
    • 2nd of 4 cement layers laid. Will continue for rest of week

Susan Sifuentes Trigueros