A decade after the Aliso Canyon gas blowout forced thousands of families from their homes, residents from Granada Hills, Northridge, and Porter Ranch gathered Sunday to remember the disaster and renew their call to shut down the gas storage facility once and for all.
Held just miles from the still-operating Southern California Gas Company site, the town hall brought together about 45 people, including longtime residents, UCLA researchers, and elected officials. The event highlighted the health and environmental consequences of the 2015 methane leak — the largest in U.S. history — and the frustration of communities still living in its shadow.
Long-term health concerns persist
Sandi Naiman, a local resident for over 40 years, remembered being at a nearby park with her grandson the day the blowout began.
“I didn’t know the blowout was happening, they didn’t tell us for three days,” she said.
She and her husband briefly relocated but soon returned home due to caregiving responsibilities. Since then, both have battled cancer.
“We’re waiting for the cancer study to see if that had an impact on us,” she said. “I wish they would close this down. They promised us that they would close it down and they didn’t.”
Studies show higher risk of health impacts
UCLA researchers presented preliminary findings from an ongoing state-funded health study. Christina Batteate, deputy project manager, reported that women exposed to the gas leak during late pregnancy had nearly a 50% higher chance of giving birth to low birth weight babies.
The risk varied depending on location. The western impact zone — which includes parts of Granada Hills — saw a 130% increase. The central zone, including areas of Northridge, showed a 64% rise. These results match the observed path of the methane plume, which drifted southwest from the leak site.
The research team is also using infrared and satellite imagery to track exposure. Unlike typical studies, UCLA is sharing preliminary data through public meetings to keep the community informed.
“Given how long the community has waited for answers, we felt that it was very critical for them to have our preliminary findings as soon as they’re released,” Batteate said.
The next community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on November 18 at the Vineyard Porter Ranch community room, with a Zoom option available.
Families demand accountability
Deirdre Bolona, cofounder of Aliso Moms Alliance, said her father died of kidney cancer after the blowout. Her home was just three blocks from the facility.
“We were all there through it and I’m just worried about them all,” she said of her children. “I can’t wait to see the rest of the results and hopefully more health information so we can make good decisions.”
Helen Attai, another local resident and advocate, said she lost a close family friend, a young woman with cystic fibrosis, shortly after the blowout.
“I have seen my family suffer. I’ve seen my neighbors suffer,” she said. “This is all wrong, I’d like to see justice.”
Leaders call for SoCalGas accountability
Congressman Brad Sherman, who represents parts of the north San Fernando Valley, said SoCalGas has failed to act responsibly.
“Southern California Gas Company has done nothing for 10 years to figure out how to have a resilient, reliable, natural gas system for L.A. County and close this down,” he said.
Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo also attended the event, and mayoral candidate Asaad Alnajjar — a member of the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council — spoke as well.
Community organizer Andrea Vega, with Food & Water Watch, said many residents across Granada Hills, Northridge, and Porter Ranch feel abandoned.
“There is a strong call, just throughout the community, to shut down Aliso Canyon, that is undeniable,” she said. “It’s easy to just feel like nothing’s ever going to change. But through community power, we can absolutely bring about change.”
