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L.A.’s Catastrophic Gas Leak May Lead to Big Blackouts: Here’s How to Cope

As we all know by now, the Porter Ranch gas leak late last year was seriously bad news: Thousands in the posh Los Angeles neighborhood were forced to evacuate their pricey homes during the biggest methane leak in this country’s history. There was widespread nausea, headaches, nosebleeds. But although many residents moved back into their homes after the leak was plugged in February, they may be in for more shocks.

First came the reports that the area’s go-go housing sales market has declined this year, bucking the national trend.

And now the latest stunner: Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California could be smacked with up to 14 days of scheduled blackouts this summer as a result of the leaks, according to the Los Angeles Times.

That’s right, millions of residents could suffer a total of up to two weeks without electricity without much prior notice, according to a CBS affiliate. It would likely be turned off one block at a time for short periods, officials say.

The gas storage facility in Aliso Canyon, just above Porter Ranch, is at just a fifth of its normal capacity after leaking gas for four months, according to the Times. It can’t receive more gas until its wells pass “comprehensive” safety reviews. And it could take months for the facility to get back online—more bad news for the customers and power plants who depend on it.

One of the ways the agencies plan to address the problem is by asking customers to do their best to conserve energy—especially during the peak summer months. They could be asked to turn down their water heaters and use air conditioners sparingly, according to the Times.

But folks don’t need to live in Southern California to do their part for the environment—as well as their energy bills. So stop blasting that darned AC every summer!

“You can set back your thermostat,” says Tom Brown, vice president of sales at BrightHOME Energy Solutions in Elmsford, NY. His company conducts home energy assessments and then suggests solutions.

He recommends turning the dial to 78 degrees during the hottest months and then dialing it back to 64 degrees in the coldest.

Replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs, which don’t use as much power or emit as much heat, is another (painless) way to cut down. And just like your mom always told you, you should remember to turn off lights, as well as other appliances, when they’re not being used.

Homeowners can also explore more comprehensive measures such as installing better windows, doors, and insulation.

If a blackout does roll through Southern California, renters and homeowners can protect themselves with a backup generator, says Craig Pirrong, a finance professor at the University of Houston. They should also keep emergency supplies, including food that doesn’t need to be cooked, on hand.

More standard advice: “Don’t open your freezer, because it will remain cold for some time,” he warns. Of course, this makes it rather tough to actually get your food. And if a blackout extends into days, you might want to consider biting the bullet and throwing stuff out. Because food poisoning and darkness are a lousy combination.

“Blackouts are not very common,” Pirrong says. “But when they do occur, they can be extremely disruptive.”

The city of Los Angeles is slated to announce rebates urging businesses and residents to cut back on their energy usage in an attempt to stave off widespread outages.

“We can all help get through this tough period by conserving energy, making our buildings more efficient, and taking other actions that reduce our use of electricity and natural gas,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement.

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