Politicians pleased but cautious over news that Porter Ranch gas leak has been permanently sealed

In response to today’s aouncement that state officials have determined the leaking well in Aliso Canyon has been permanantly sealed, local, state and federal politicians expressed relief that the well is sealed, but cautioned there was more work to be done.

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, who represents a portion of Porter Ranch residents, said today in a statement that he is pleased the leaking natural gas well has been sealed, but said the development is not a victory.

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“We should not be declaring victory, as the Aliso Canyon facility and the negligence of Southe Califoia Gas Company continue to pose a threat to the community,” Sherman said in the statement released following the aouncement that state officials have confirmed a leaking well has been sealed,

“We now need tough new regulations regarding the other 114 wells in the Aliso Canyon facility. We need 24/7 monitoring of each well, shown on a website so the public can see for themselves. We need deep subsurface safety valves on every well,” he continued.

• VIDEO: LA Councilman Mitch Englander: More work to be done to make sure Porter Ranch is safe

With the aouncement that the well has been sealed, the clock has started for residents to retu home. Most residents who have relocated will have eight days and seven nights before SoCal Gas will no longer pay for relocation expenses. Residents who have entered into short-term leases, will be able to stay through the end of their leases.

Sherman, who lives in Porter Ranch, said there hasn’t been enough thorough indoor air testing.

“Residents should not have to retu home until the air at the facility, and in a representative sample of homes, has been certified safe by state authorities,” Sherman said.

• VIDEO: Den Chali plans to retu to her Porter Ranch home now that the gas leak has been permanently sealed

State Sen. Fran Pavely, D-Agoura Hills, echoed Sherman’s conce about the 114 other wells at the storage facility.

“While it is cause for relief, it does not lessen the critical importance of ensuring the safety of all 114 wells at the gas storage facility before any level of gas injections is allowed to resume,” Pavley said in a statement. “The more than 4,000 families at Porter Ranch who have been relocated to escape the noxious fumes deserve the highest possible level of assurance that the homes to which they will soon be retuing are safe, and that normalcy can retu to their community.”

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• VIDEO: Gas well is officially killed, says James Marshall of Califoia Department of Conservation

“It was definitely a relief for the entire community, although it’s by no means an end to this catastrophic disaster,” L.A. City Councilman Mitch Englander said in an interview following the news conference. “It’s the begiing of the next chapter and the next chapter is lengthy. There are several things that have to be done that need to be done.”

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