Stop SoCal Gas' Toxic Compressor Expansion

SoCalGas is rushing the clean-up of their toxic compressor station across the street from an elementary school in a disadvantaged Latino community in West Ventura. In addition to concerns about their clean-up job, this is also an attempt to double the size of their historically faulty and explosive site.

NASA has labled the site a "super emitter" of methane and it has a history of multiple leaks in the past. It has also been home to numerous industrial uses over the decades. As a result, the soil and facilities are contaminated with lead, diesel fuel, and a host of other known carcinogens.

The plan SoCalGas submitted to the state of California to clean up the toxic soil on their site is incomplete and needs a full Environmental Impact Review.

Tell your local elected officials and the Department of Toxic Substance Control that we need a bilingual, inclusive community hearing to get more answers, and we need to ensure an Environmental Impact Review is done before any clean-up starts.

Sign below to tell local and state officials to SLOW DOWN and consider public health.

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Stop the SoCalGas Toxic Compressor Expansion in Ventura County

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Dear state and local officials,

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I am writing to you because I am concerned about SoCalGas' plan to double the size of a historically faulty compressor station across the street from an elementary school in West Ventura, CA.

Identified as a methane super-emitter by NASA, the facility has had a bad track record of leaks and violations. It has also been home to numerous industrial uses over the decades. As a result, the property is contaminated by a number of harmful chemicals, including arsenic, lead, petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A building slated to be torn down may also contain asbestos.

The California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) has plans to remediate the site by removing the soil's top layer. I am concerned that DTSC’s workplan does not contain the safeguards needed to protect the community from lead-laden dust and airborne contaminants. This is especially alarming given that the site is directly across the street from EP Foster Elementary School and near hundreds of homes with children. Also, the Westside of Ventura is listed by the Cal EPA as a disadvantaged community already facing some of the highest pollution in all California. This should not be the site for any more pollution.

Many organizations and members of the Westside community wrote to DTSC expressing concern over the inadequate dust controls in the clean-up plan. The response from DTSC was not satisfactory. They have denied the community's request for a bilingual public hearing, stating a lack of public interest.

I urge you to join the community in demanding the Department of Toxic Substance Control hold an inclusive and bilingual hearing to address further questions. Also, that SoCalGas and government agencies conduct a full Environmental Impact Review of the entire expansion project, which is usually required for toxic projects of this size.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]