County supervisor wants more time for Porter Ranch residents to return home after gas leak

A Los Angeles County supervisor wants residents who have been displaced by the Aliso Canyon gas leak to have as long as 30 days after the leak is plugged to return to their homes from temporary housing.

Southern California Gas Co. and the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office agreed last December that residents of Porter Ranch and other communities who relocated to avoid fumes from the massive leak would return to their homes within 48 hours.

Supervisor Mike Antonovich is to introduce a motion on Tuesday giving residents the additional time. Gas company officials say the leak will probably be plugged by the end of the month.

“This will provide adequate time for displaced residents to move their families and pets back into the community,” the supervisor’s motion said.

Gas company representatives and the City Attorney’s Office said they are already discussing an extension of the 48-hour provision.

An estimated 4,900 households have moved out of Porter Ranch and the surrounding communities since the gas leak was discovered Oct. 23. Odorants in the gas have left many residents with headaches, dizziness and nosebleeds.

For residents who chose to temporarily relocate, the gas company offered to pay as much as $7,500 a month for rent, $500 for utilities and another $500 in moving expenses. Customers who remained in their homes were provided with air filters and weather stripping along their doors.

Representatives of the gas company, public health agencies, the Fire Department and the South Coast Air Quality Management District are expected to provide a status update on the gas leak to supervisors on Tuesday.

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