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SACRAMENTO –Today, Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, presented Assembly Bill 1903, which would require the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) to conduct an independent scientific study on the long-term health effects of chemical exposure that occurred during the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak. Assembly Bill 1903 unanimously passed the Assembly floor.
“Thousands of my constituents were relocated as people were falling ill and many residents contacted my office expressing discomfort from the foul order from the gas leak,” said Wilk. “This study is essential for the individuals affected by the leak; it is critical the impacted areas receive a comprehensive, independent study to fully understand the long-term health impacts.”
On October 23, 2015 a leak was discovered at the Aliso Canyon gas facility in Porter Ranch, California. The methane from the gas facility spewed for 110 days before it was finally capped. In that time, 22,000 residents were relocated from their homes. This study would be focused on the health of individuals who lived within a 12-mile radius for the period between October 23, 2015, and the date when the Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) determines their well safety review is complete. The chemicals that researchers would be instructed to study would include methane, benzene and mercaptan.
AB 1903 now heads to the Senate.