With the help of PARRIS environmental lawyers, nearly 700 Porter Ranch residents filed claims against the State of California and local smog regulators. They claim that the state and the South Coast Air Quality Management District were negligent in their oversight of Southern California Gas’s underground gas storage field.
The lawsuit names the state Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil and Gas, alleging its leaders issued permits improperly to SoCal Gas.
The claims must be reviewed by the agencies, and if they are rejected, that clears the way for the residents and their lawyers to sue. They also name SoCalGas, alleging it failed to keep dozens of old gas wells in good repair.
Many of the same residents and agencies are already suing SoCalGas alleging other damages from the massive gas leak.
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