Sempra Utility Charged With Reporting California Leak Late

  • Sempra unit faces four misdemeanor charges as leak continues
  • Aliso Canyon leak prompted governor to declare emergency
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Sempra Energy’s Southern California Gas Co. utility was charged on Tuesday with failing to immediately report a natural gas well leak north of Los Angeles that has driven thousands of residents from their homes and prompted Governor Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency.

The criminal complaint filed Tuesday accuses the unit of San Diego-based Sempra Energy of four misdemeanors related to discharging air contaminants and failing to report the release of hazardous materials, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said in a statement.