In Southern California, SoCalGas checks gas delivery lines for methane leaks. The public company publishes a map of sites where elevated levels of methane have been reported by the public or discovered during regular pipeline inspections. 

According to SoCalGas’ website, methane “is hazardous only when it becomes concentrated in an enclosed area and there is a source of ignition nearby.” Leak sites considered not to pose that threat are labeled “non-hazardous” and allowed to exist if they are regularly monitored or scheduled for future repair. 

SoCalGas technicians make the “non-hazardous” determination using a 4-point inspection:

1) site proximity to people and property

2) concentration of gas at the time of inspection

3) potential for gas to accumulate

4) presence of an ignition source

To find out if your neighborhood has a leak, visit the Leak Verification Map website at:

https://socalgas.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=93db425fa47d4de9857dd34fd67a93fe  

Once there, enter your zip code to view the sites they have discovered so far. 

Note: The map gives approximate locations, which are sometimes slightly offset.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Rare explosions threaten people and property, and ongoing leaks can harm plants and trees. According to the U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan, “In addition to its climate impacts, methane poses acute and chronic hazards to human health. Methane is flammable and explosive within certain ranges and thus can present a safety hazard for individuals in areas with high methane concentrations including, for example, around oil and gas facilities, certain agricultural settings, and coal mines. Methane gas intoxication can cause asphyxia and lung injury, and the explosive hazards posed by methane can be deadly.”

According to the US EPA, methane is emitted from various human-influenced and natural sources and is more than 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere: “Over the last two centuries, methane concentrations in the atmosphere have more than doubled, largely due to human-related activities. Because methane is both a powerful greenhouse gas and short-lived compared to carbon dioxide, achieving significant reductions would have a rapid and significant effect on atmospheric warming potential.”

As always, if you smell a gas odor, hear a hissing sound, or suspect a leak, do not smoke, light a match, candle, or flame, turn electrical appliances or lights on or off, or use any device that could create a spark. Immediately evacuate the area and call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 or 911.