The Senate Environmental Quality Committee unanimously passed AB 1904 by Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita. The bill would require the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to submit a report assessing the potential dangers caused by odorants to public health and the environment, as well as identify any possible alternatives.

“During the Aliso Canyon gas leak, many of my constituents reported experiencing adverse health effects such as headaches, nose bleeds, and nausea that are presumed to have been caused by odorants,” said Wilk. “Odorants are a necessary tool in the safe storage of natural gas because they allow for detection of a gas leak. However, we want to ensure we are protecting members of the public by looking into the odorant compounds used and ensuring they are as harmless as possible to both the public and the environment.”

AB 1904 was introduced in response to the natural gas leak that was discovered on October 23, 2015 at the Aliso Canyon facility. The natural gas (methane) streamed for an estimated 118 days, forcing the relocation of nearly 20,000 residents, before it was finally capped. AB 1904 includes an urgency clause that orders the immediate start of the study since the odorants used at the Aliso Canyon storage facility are used at multiple sites across California.

AB 1904 now heads to the Senate Appropriations committee.

Wilk’s 38th Assembly District encompasses Simi Valley, the northwestern section of the San Fernando Valley and most of the Santa Clarita Valley.