By Christine Kim

Staff Writer

Even though the Porter Ranch gas leak was “permanently sealed” in February, many Chatsworth students find themselves back in hotels and rental homes because the headaches, nausea, and nosebleeds they had been facing returned after they moved back to their homes.

This has caused stress and annoyance to students who have been waking up a lot earlier than usual to get ready for a long drive of up to 60 minutes on the freeway just to come to school.

“When I was relocated to a hotel, it was a really long commute in the morning and even after school,” said sophomore Candice Kim. “Since I was not at home, it was difficult for me to concentrate in my room because I had to share a room with my family. I also couldn't print anything so I always had to ask my friends to help me out. Overall, the gas leak was a huge inconvenience for my family.”

Along with Kim, sophomore Isaac Lee also spent a few months away from his house because of the leak. “I was relocated to Best Western Hotel in Sherman Oaks. My everyday lifestyle changed a lot because I (was not) eating home-cooked food at all. Also, I (had) to wake up earlier every day for school because the hotel I (was) living at is farther away from school than my own house,” said Lee.

Initially, about 4,000 families, who called themselves “refugees,” were moved from their homes and relocated to hotels, apartments and houses. It’s unclear how many have moved home and how many have had to relocate once again because their headaches, nausea and nosebleeds started again when they moved back. The Southern California Gas Company allowed them to return to hotels and stay until May 2, after which they can stay in apartments until May 28.

The Porter Ranch gas leak was first discovered on Oct. 23 in the Aliso Canyon storage field near Porter Ranch, more than 8,000 feet underground. Soon after, nearby residents began complaining about the smell of the gas, followed by other symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, vomiting, sleepiness and irritation of the stomach.

            The leak had other effects as well. Two entire schools, Porter Ranch Community School and Castlebay Lane Charter School, were relocated in response to the leak for the safety of the students. Porter Ranch Community is about two miles from the leak site and Castlebay about one mile. Here at Chatsworth, each classroom and office received an air purifier from the Southern California Gas Company.

       The leak may wind up affecting the electricity supply for Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Riverside Counties, possibly resulting in summer blackouts, according to the California Energy Commission. That’s because 17 power plants in the Los Angeles area burn natural gas from the Aliso Canyon storage field to produce electricity, but the field’s reserves are depleted and new gas isn’t being injected.