CA AB1905

Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency must conduct and complete an independent scientific study on natural gas injection and storage practices by July 1, 2017.

Study must evaluate hazards, risks, and potential risks that natural gas injection and storage pose to natural resources, public health, occupational safety, and environmental health.

Study must follow established scientific protocols including peer review and publication, and must assess well construction standards, average age of injection wells, proximity to residential development, and chemicals used as odorants.

Study must evaluate current state regulatory structure for natural gas injection and storage facilities and recommend measures to better protect public and environmental health while maintaining energy reliability.

Bill takes effect immediately as an urgency statute due to the methane leak from Southern California Gas Company's Aliso Canyon well that began October 23, 2015.