An enormous gas leak in Southern California has led to the evacuation of thousands of residents with hundreds more having to be relocated. Residents living in nearby areas have complained of headaches, nosebleeds and trouble breathing. An estimated 70,000 pounds of gas is being released into the atmosphere every hour.
This should be huge news, but it isn’t. In fact, the leak has been going strong since October 23 and we bet this is the first time you’ve heard about it.
Elite Daily
In fact, the gas company didn't inform the state of the leak until October 23. I don't think we can be sure that's when it started.What’s worse, according to Southern California Gas Company, the leak isn’t likely to be stopped until spring of 2016. As of Monday, the leak has cost the equivalent of $11.5 million in natural gas.
On October 23, 2015, Southern California Gas informed the State of a natural gas leak at its Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility. Natural Gas is composed primarily of methane (approximately 80%), which is a potent greenhouse gas.[...] [W]hen measured in terms of how they heat the atmosphere, their impacts can be tens, hundreds, or even thousands of times greater than that of carbon dioxide.
California EPA Air Resources Board
Methane – the main component of natural gas – is a powerful short-term climate forcer, with over 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide in the first 20 years after it is released. Methane is estimated to be leaking out of the Aliso Canyon site at a rate of about 62 million standard cubic feet, per day. That’s the same short-term greenhouse gas impact as the emissions from 7 million cars.
Environmental Defense Fund
...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.
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