California governor declares gas leak a state of emergency

California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency over a massive natural-gas leak that has been spewing fumes into a Los Angeles neighbourhood for months.

In a statement yesterday, Brown said he acted based on the requests of local residents in the community of Porter Ranch and the "prolonged and continuing" nature of the gas blowout at the underground storage facility.

The well, owned by Southern California Gas Co, has been spewing up to 1,200 tons of methane daily, along with other gases. The leak was first reported in October.

The utility is paying to relocate thousands of households after residents complained that the stench has made them sick.

They have reported nosebleeds, nausea and other ailments. Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles school board already have declared the crisis a state of emergency, moving students out of two schools in the neighbourhood.

The governor's move, among other measures, directs efforts by California agencies in stopping the leak, and it orders emergency regulations for other gas-storage facilities throughout the state.

Brown toured the site of the leak for the first time earlier this week. The governor previously has resisted local calls for a state declaration, saying he wanted to make sure the utility, rather than the state, bore the financial cost.