SACRAMENTO –Today, Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, testified before the Assembly Utilities and Commerce committee as a co-author of Senate Bill 380 by Senator Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, to require an immediate moratorium on natural gas injection and restrict production of gas through vintage wells at the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility. The measure passed 13-0 with two abstentions.
“It's imperative this moratorium legislation go into effect so that any new injections of natural gas and use of vintage wells for production at the Aliso Canyon storage facility are deemed safe and do not pose a risk to public health,” said Wilk. “As the 15,000 residents who were forced to be evacuated from their homes begin moving back, it's important they return to a safe home. I commend Senator Pavley for her hard work on this issue and remain committed to working together to prevent a future incident from occurring again.”
SB 380 will establish a moratorium on any new injections of natural gas and use of vintage wells for production at the Aliso Canyon storage facility until a determination has been made by selected state agencies and outside experts that the site, specifically the old 1950s wells, does not pose a risk to public health or safety. The measure will also consider how to minimize or eliminate use of the facility while still maintaining energy reliability in the region.
“Now that the leak has finally been sealed, there can be no haste to return to business as usual,” said Sen. Fran Pavley. “Residents are preparing to return home and they're asking me, 'Is it safe? 'How I do know it won't happen again?' This is a measured bill and a valid response to the real concerns of real people.”
SB 380 will now be heard in the Assembly Appropriations committee. This measure has an urgency clause and will take effect immediately with the governor's signature.