S. California gas leak temporarily controlled

The four-month-old massive natural gas leak in Porter Ranch, Southern California, has been temporarily controlled, the owner of the leaking storage well said Friday.

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) said its crew temporarily controlled the leak of natural gas from the Aliso Canyon Storage Facility well that has been spewing gas since late October.

A relief well more than a mile long intercepted the leaking well, and efforts have begun to pump heavy fluids to control the flow of gas. Work is now under way to seal the well and permanently cap the leak.

"We have temporarily controlled the natural gas flow from the leaking well and begun the process of sealing the well and permanently stopping the leak," Jimmie Cho, SoCalGas senior vice president of gas operations and system integrity, was quoted as saying by local media.

It will take at least several days to seal the leaking well with cement.

More than 5,000 households have been evacuated from surrounding areas and are now living in temporary housing. Most of them will be able to return home after the state confirms that the leak has been halted.

The leak was discovered on Oct. 23. SoCalGas was charged with three counts of failing to report the release of hazardous materials from Oct. 23 to Oct. 26, and one count of discharging air contaminants beginning Oct. 23 and continuing through today.

If convicted, the company could be fined up to 25,000 dollars for each day it failed to notify the state Office of Emergency Services about the leak. It could be fined up to 1,000 dollars per day for air pollution violations.

After test and investigation, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said they do not believe the gas leak poses any risk of long-term health issues, but air quality in the area is still monitored. Endi