Air Regulator Sues California Utility Over Historic Methane Leak

"A California utility failed to protect residents from the largest methane leak in state history at its natural gas field near Los Angeles, a regional pollution watchdog said in a lawsuit filed against the company.

The suit, filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, seeks penalties against Southern California Gas Co of up to $250,000 a day for each of six pollution-related health and safety code violations.

The stench of odorized methane fumes has sickened scores of people since the leak began on Oct. 23 and has forced the utility to temporarily move residents and their belongings from more than 7,700 homes in the Porter Ranch community of northern Los Angeles at the edge of the leaking gas storage field."

Alex Dobuzinskis reports for Reuters January 27, 2016.