California Gas Leak Spotlights Shoddy Regulation Of Aging Storage Wells

"Long before a natural gas storage well sprung a disastrous leak near Los Angeles, California, utilities and national industry groups were raising alarms about the danger of aging underground storage infrastructure.

The leaking well’s owner, Southern California Gas Co, warned state utility regulators in 2014 of “major failures” without a rate hike to pay for comprehensive inspections of 229 storage wells.

Twenty-six of its wells were “high risk” and should be abandoned - even though they complied with state regulations, the utility wrote in a rate filing."

Nichola Groom reports for Reuters January 22, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"U.S. To Tackle Oil And Gas Methane Waste On Public Lands - Sources" (Reuters)

"California Examines Safety Of Gas Wells Amid Methane Leak" (NPR)

"EPA To Finalize Suite Of Methane Rules This Spring" (Greenwire)