Massive Methane Leak in California - Worst Catastrophe Since BP Spill?

"Since initially reporting on California's Aliso Canyon gas leak, more details have emerged on the scale (and potential for no solution) of the problem as the infamous Erin Brockovich writes, "the enormity of the Aliso Canyon gas leak cannot be overstated. Gas is escaping through a ruptured pipe more than 8,000 feet underground, and it shows no signs of stopping," as according to the California Air Resources Board, methane - a greenhouse gas 72 times more impactful in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide - has been escaping from the Aliso Canyon site with force equivalent “to a volcanic eruption” for about two months now."

The leak includes not just methane but benzene (a carcinogen) also. Despite frantic efforts, the leak can't be stopped until Spring.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-12-24/unstoppable-california-gas...

I understand that Delmont, in Westmoreland County, PA, has a huge methane storage well, also. Let's hope it doesn't leak. http://old.post-gazette.com/healthscience/19990322gas2.asp

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Permalink Reply by Barry D on December 26, 2015 at 5:55am

THE SKY IS FALLING!  THE SKY IS FALLING!

Typical Chicken Little nonsense. More fear mongering by our resident leftist anti oil and gas person.

Below is a statement from the LA County Health Department about the leak. In essence it states that there is no serious public health situation. I have underlined the most pertinent passages.

Overview
This fact sheet provides information about the natural gas leak at the Aliso Canyon Storage Facility and its related health impacts to Porter Ranch residents. The natural gas leak began on October 23. The Department of Public Health (Public Health) determined that the emissions from this facility are causing health effects in some individuals in the Porter Ranch community. Exposures to these chemicals are generally not expected to lead to permanent or long-term health problems. However, short-term, recurrent symptoms may occur with these exposures as long as the odors persist, and some individuals may be more sensitive than others. Outdoor air is being monitored and, Public Health will continue to assess air quality until the gas leak is resolved.
Natural Gas
Natural gas in California is primarily composed of methane. Because natural gas is odorless by itself, trace amounts of odorants called Mercaptans are added so that a gas leak is easy to detect. Southern California Gas Company uses an odorant called Scentinel® T-50, which contains two ingredients, tetrahydrothiophene (THT) and t-butyl mercaptan. These gases have strong odors, even at very low air concentrations.
Health Effects
Methane: Methane is an odorless gas, and the primary health hazard associated with methane is its flammability. Methane inhalation in this setting generally does not lead to health effects. Methane level readings in Porter Ranch are substantially lower than flammable limits, and do not pose a health concern to residents in the area.
Mercaptans: At this time, the natural gas leak is releasing very low levels of mercaptans into the air. Mercaptans have a strong “rotten-egg,” “garlicky,” or “skunk-like” odor and can be irritating to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system at low levels. In this incident, the levels are so low they can escape detection by most monitoring equipment, however individuals are capable of detecting these odors. These low level exposures may cause eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing and nasal congestion, shortness of breath, nausea, stomach discomfort, dizziness, and headaches. Symptoms vary depending on the frequency and duration of the odor and will generally go away once the odor exposure has stopped. Odors are not associated with long-term health effects, but they may cause recurrent symptoms on a daily basis in some individuals as long as the odors remain.
Public Health Directive to Southern California Gas Company
If you are experiencing odors and symptoms AND you wish to be temporarily relocated from your home, Southern California Gas Company is offering free temporary relocation for any individuals, families, and pets.
Relocation is not mandatory. To learn more about relocation assistance, call 404-497-6808.
If you or your health care provider have health-related questions, please call Dr. Cyrus Rangan, Director of the Bureau of Toxicology and Environmental Assessment, at 213-738-3220.
For More Information Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 888-700-9995 South Coast Air Quality Management District, 800-CUT-SMOG Los Angeles County Fire Department, 323-881-2411 Southern California Gas Company, 800-427-2200
ALISO CANYON GAS LEAK
Health Fact Sheet

Permalink Reply by Paul Heckbert on December 26, 2015 at 6:28am

Crying "chicken little" can be a convenient reflex for those that want to ignore environmental concerns. Let's not bury our heads in the sand. Let's instead look at the evidence a little more closely:

"... she returned to her home this week to pick up unwrapped Christmas presents. "But this holiday, we're all living in hotel rooms or with relatives and don't know when we'll be moving back into our homes." Rabadi is among thousands of Porter Ranchers who have moved out since Oct. 23, when a nearby Southern California Gas Co. natural gas well began leaking at a rate of 110,000 pounds an hour."

"The smell put a sore throat, headaches and terrible nosebleeds on top of my disease," she said. "But the company never called me back."

This huge leak apparently is increasing California's total methane leaks by 25%. So there are global warming concerns on top of the health problems and the impact on the local real estate market.

http://www.latimes.com/science/la-me-porter-ranch-christmas-2015122...

Permalink Reply by Barry D on December 27, 2015 at 6:49am

Paul,

Typical leftist anti oil and gas response.

I give you facts, you in turn post anecdotal stories.

The fact is, that according to the LA County Health Department there is not a health concern related to the leak.

Global warming?! You are joking right? No way does this leak affect global temperatures.

How could it, when all of the emissions over the last 100 years hasn't raised the temperature.

Permalink Reply by Paul Heckbert on December 27, 2015 at 10:15am

Is it also anecdotal that dolphins washed up on Gulf Coast beaches, that tourism there plummeted, and that "BP now faces a maximum fine of $13.7 billion for violating the Clean Water Act and crippling Gulf Coast economies. Those penalties would come on top of the $42 billion the company says it already has paid in claims, cleanup efforts, fines and victim compensation related to the oil spill." ? http://www.ibtimes.com/bp-oil-spill-has-lasting-economic-toll-five-...

If reading about Porter Ranch residents' health problems and BP oil spill consequences and coastal residents' rising-sea-level problems hasn't sunk in then I suggest you move to Porter Ranch or the Marshall Islands and experience the effects of reckless fossil fuel use firsthand.

Permalink Reply by KAR on December 27, 2015 at 11:12am

Paul, 

Should we ban all cows too? I found an article that says it - so it must be true! 

http://timeforchange.org/are-cows-cause-of-global-warming-meat-meth...

Permalink Reply by Barry D on December 27, 2015 at 3:21pm

Eat More Chikun

Permalink Reply by Barry D on December 27, 2015 at 11:15am

Paul,

Now you stoop to another leftist tactic - equivocation.

One situation being the same as another, which of course is ridiculous.

The BP oil spill and the gas leak in CA are not the same and comparing them is ridiculous.

You believe that rising sea levels ( another urban myth) were caused by the BP oil spill? Now that is ridiculous.

You have lost it.

Permalink Reply by Joseph-Ohio on December 27, 2015 at 11:30pm

Is everyone satisfied that the BP spill in the Gulf was not a purposeful act of (say) economic warfare / perhaps terrorism by some malevolent enemy (or competitor) ?

How far will a malevolent enemy (or competitor) go to cause harm ?

Personally, I'm not satisfied that it was not a purposeful act by some such entity or entities myself.

But, I admit that I am / have matured into a total cynic.

Permalink Reply by Barry D on December 27, 2015 at 11:22am

Paul,

Ever wonder what happened to the oil that spilled from the BP well in the Gulf?

It wasn't cleaned up or captured. It didn't all end up on shore. So where did it go?

Microbes in the sea ate it; that's where it went.

The environment of this planet is a miraculous thing. We humans are but a small fraction of the global environment. The environment of the planet exists in spite of us.To believe that we humans could permanently harm the environment is pure arrogance.

Arrogance is one of the premier character flaws of you on the left.

Permalink Reply by Paul Heckbert on December 27, 2015 at 5:54pm

The word “anecdote” is a popular pejorative among people who want to dismiss unpleasant health concerns. “All you have is anecdotes”, they will say.

For a similar use of “anecdote”, see 53:48 in the Frontline documentary on denial by the NFL that football causes brain injury: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/league-of-denial/

Sound familiar?

Permalink Reply by Joseph-Ohio on December 27, 2015 at 11:12pm

How about this 'anecdote' ?' :

'Being born causes all we folks to die.'

In the meantime however, we all must live.

The proverbial human condition.

A ridiculous joke of an example ?

As any other ?

Permalink Reply by Joseph-Ohio on December 28, 2015 at 12:06am

Maybe hospitals should issue and discharge newborns wearing helmets and within a 'bubble' ?

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