OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Porter Ranch

Floor Speech

Date: Feb. 12, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Environment Natural Resources

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Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the environmental tragedy affecting residents in Porter Ranch.

Just a few miles from my district, and until yesterday, methane gas continued to leak into the air from one of the wells, spewing 110,000 pounds of methane per hour. This leak began last October. The full health and environmental impacts of this unmitigated disaster may not be known for many years, and already it has displaced thousands of families and caused innumerable illnesses and property losses.

Today I am calling on the U.S. Department of Energy to lead a comprehensive investigation into what caused this leak, its inadequate response, and to provide recommendations for mitigating the damage and preventing future incidents. This tragedy must never be repeated.

Between Porter Ranch and Flint, Michigan, it is clear that both the government and the private sector are far from placing the priority we need on our families' health and their safety.

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