The Senate answered California’s plea for help Wednesday in approving an amendment to an energy bill to address an out-of-control gas leak outside Los Angeles.
“I am very pleased that the Senate realizes what a crisis my constituents are facing in Southern California and that there must be national attention paid to finding a solution,” said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.
The amendment directs the Obama administration to assemble a group of federal experts to prevent any similar incidents. The leak has been occurring for months at the Southern California Gas Co.’s massive underground storage facility in Aliso Canyon in Los Angeles. The company has been drilling a relief well in an attempt to stop the leaking natural gas, after homes in the neighborhood were evacuated.
The utility company faces criminal charges for its handling of the leak and its delay in alerting authorities to the problem.
Passage of the measure could bode well for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to see a measure attached to the bill that would approve $600 million in aid to Flint, Mich., after lead contaminated the city’s water supply.
Reid is pressing for the amendment to be approved Wednesday, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky moves to wrap up the amendment process and vote on the energy bill.
“Before we rush off into the congratulatory phase of this legislation, there has to be an opportunity to work something out on Flint, Mich., and the tremendous problems they have,” Reid said Wednesday.
Boxer’s amendment was passed after a long string of more controversial measures on Tuesday. The energy bill is expected to come to a vote before the week is up.
