Cárdenas Demands Answers from LADWP on Valley Generating Station Methane Leak in Sun Valley
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY – Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) sent letters to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) demanding answers on a confirmed methane leak from a facility in the Sun Valley. Last week, an article was published a methane gas leak from the Valley Generating Station, operated by LADWP, that had been leaking hazardous gas for nearly a year with no repairs done.
“I was outraged to learn that LADWP has been aware of the situation for nearly a year and has no repairs scheduled until later this November,” Cárdenas wrote. “We know the harmful effects caused by such gas leaks and the health risks it poses for the residents in the surrounding communities as well as the effects on the climate crisis. The leak was brought to the utility’s attention by a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JLP) report, which uses airborne sensors to observe methane sources, which found that the station has “been leaking more than 10,000 cubic feet of methane per hour for the last couple of years” equivalent to the emissions of 30,000 cars. The delay in both finding the leak and reporting it is unacceptable and is detrimental to the health of our residents and bad for the environment.”
Earlier this week, LA City Council President Nury Martinez filed a motion demanding a report back on the methane leak at the Valley Generating Station. Methane is among the most powerful and abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. In 2017, methane accounted for roughly 10 percent of all human-driven greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., according to the EPA.
The text of the letter is copied below, and the pdf can be found here.
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September 2, 2020
Mr. Martin L. Adams Cynthia McClain-Hill
General Manager and Chief Engineer President
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power LADWP Board of Commissioners
111 N. Hope St. 111 N. Hope St., Rm 1555-H
Los Angeles, CA 90012 Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear General Manager Martin Adams:
I write to express my serious concern of a confirmed methane gas leak at your facility, the Valley Generating Station located in Sun Valley. I request the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) provide answers to the community on this public health matter and how you plan to address this immediately.
I was outraged to learn that LADWP has been aware of the situation for nearly a year and has no repairs scheduled until later this November. We know the harmful effects caused by such gas leaks and the health risks it poses for the residents in the surrounding communities as well as the effects on the climate crisis. The leak was brought to the utility’s attention by a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JLP) report, which uses airborne sensors to observe methane sources, which found that the station has “been leaking more than 10,000 cubic feet of methane per hour for the last couple of years” equivalent to the emissions of 30,000 cars. The delay in both finding the leak and reporting it is unacceptable and is detrimental to the health of our residents and bad for the environment.
This situation requires urgency, and the community deserves to be provided with answers regarding this gas leak. I agree with the recent City Council Motion filed by Council President Nury Martinez demanding a report back on the methane leak at the Valley Generating Station. We need immediate answers about how this occurred and what policy measures will be implemented so this does not happen again.
It is imperative that you answer the following questions:
- What is the methane gas issue at your facility in Sun Valley?
- When did this leak begin?
- When did you become aware of the leak?
- Who was this leak reported to and what steps were taken to address it?
- How much methane has been released?
- What measures were taken to notify the community? How many community members were notified? What method was used for notification and in what languages?
- How do you plan to keep the community informed on steps to address this issue?
- How will this issue be addressed sooner than the scheduled repairs in November?
- How do you intend to mitigate community impacts and previous impacts?
- What policies will you develop to proactively find and address leaks of methane, or other hazardous pollution in the future?
- What system will you create to notify residents and the general public when such leaks are found and how they will be addressed? Which method(s) of communications will you use and in what languages?
I request that LADWP answer these questions and investigate this hazardous leak, and I look forward to the public record on this matter.
I look forward to a prompt response to all of these concerns.
Sincerely,