Lawsuit Alleges Benzene and Other Chemical Contamination of California Groundwater

By William Murphy

Published on January 12, 2007

The Oakland-based Environmental Law Foundation alleges that old oil wells connected to Southern California Gas's natural gas storage reservoirs 6,000 feet underground are leaking benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene into aquifers beneath Playa del Rey and Marina del Rey. The suit claims that the chemicals have been found in surface soil on nearby coastal properties. A foundation attorney acknowledged that a link will have to be shown in court.

The lawsuit alleges that Southern California Gas is in violation of Proposition 65, a mandate passed by voters in 1986 that prohibits companies from discharging or releasing chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects. The suit seeks a court order preventing the further release of chemicals and a $2,500-a-day fine for each violation.

A Southern California Gas spokesman disputed the Environmental Law Foundation's allegations. He said that although company attorneys had not yet fully reviewed the group's lawsuit, the company strongly asserts that its underground natural gas storage facility at Playa del Rey is not leaking.

Comment on this article →