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Written by: Matthew McGuire
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The leak was first detected on October 23, 2015. It has now spewed more than 4.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas into the atmosphere.
According to the Los Angeles Times, crews are drilling a relief well to seal off the damaged one, with work expected to be completed by late February. The LA Times also shared an insightful quote from John Herner on the negative direction the gas leak has taken with climate change.
“It’s really moving us in the wrong direction,” said Jorn Herner, chief of research planning, administration and emissions mitigation at the state Air Resources Board.
This incident in Southern California shows the negative impacts of containing, and using natural gas as a main source of energy.
The two videos below showcase the environmental impact that this gas leak has had so far. The first video is by National Geographic, and gives an infrared look at the gas flowing out of the site in the Los Angeles Basin.
In the second video, Michael Parker talks with Timothy O’Connor, the Director of Environmental Defense Fund’s Oil and Gas Program in California. The two have an intellectual conversation on this complex environmental issue.
O’Connor brings up the current need to supplement energy with natural gas, and additional sources of energy. The recent gas leak has been a setback for the curbing of global warming. Hopefully, our country can start transitioning away from the use of natural gas as soon as possible to prevent this issue from happening again.
In contrast, this story has continued to put the spotlight on moving away from fossil fuels and natural gas with the warning signs caused by this incident. Once we build awareness on this subject, it will help give people the insight to collectively join together to demand environmental regulation reform across the country.
Watch: Massive Gas Leak in California Revealed in Infrared Footage
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This video displays infrared footage captured by Earthworks. It helps visualize the amount of methane gas leaking out of the Aliso Canyon Underground Storage Field in Los Angeles County.
The cause of the leak is under investigation. Aliso Canyon is the largest methane storage facility on the West Coast, but there are 333 similar natural gas storage locations across the U.S. | Video by National Geographic
California’s Methane Gas Leak Environmental Catastrophe Explained
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The Aliso Canyon gas leak, which is currently polluting Southern California, is examined with Timothy O’Connor, the Director of Environmental Defense Fund’s Oil and Gas Program in California, following the news that Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency Wednesday in Porter Ranch, where thousands of residents have been evacuated.
O’Connor explains the health and environmental effects of methane emissions, the dangers of the gas leak relief plan, the Southern California Gas Company’s response to the leak, and how wells can be regulated to reduce methane leaks and subsequent climate damage.
Finally, they take a look at EDF’s aerial infrared footage of the leak, in this uncensored Antidote interview hosted by Michael Parker. | Video by: TheLipTV 2 on YouTube.
Environmental News
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