DeGette and House Energy and Commerce Committee Leaders Seek Answers Regarding California Gas Leak
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Democratic leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee wrote to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy seeking answers from the agencies regarding the ongoing methane leak in Southern California.
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette, along withFull Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Energy and Power Subcommittee Ranking Member Bobby L. Rush (D-IL), sent a letter to the agencies requesting a briefing on the matter and what both agencies are doing to mitigate the potentially disastrous effects of this leak, given the shared jurisdiction. The leaders asked that the Committee be briefed by January 13th.
The toxins being continuously emitted into the air are having significant climate and public health impacts. In the letter, the lawmakers note that, "As of January 5, over 78,000 metric tons of methane are estimated to have escaped, the equivalent of burning more than 737 million gallons of gasoline." Additionally, nearby residents are continuing to be relocated and those still in the surrounding area are reportedly getting sick from constantly breathing in the chemicals that are added to the gas.
"This is far more than just a nuisance for neighbors. We are seeing another potentially catastrophic man-made disaster with far-reaching impacts on the environment and public health," said DeGette, Pallone, and Rush. "We are asking these agencies to provide the Committee with specific information as to how this leak is being addressed at the federal level so that the thousands of families affected finally get the answers they deserve."
Read the full text of the letter here.