Washington, DC - Today, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, wrote a second letter to AllenCo calling on the company to immediately suspend operations at its oil and gas pumping facility in the University Park neighborhood in South Los Angeles while an investigation is conducted into reports of severe chemical odors affecting the community.
On November 8th, Senator Boxer visited the University Park neighborhood and spoke to local residents, who described the terrible odors and severe health impacts they have been experiencing. Senator Boxer first called on AllenCo to suspend operations last week and sent a letter to AllenCo on November 8th.
The full text of today's letter is below:
Nov. 15, 2013
Mr. C.E. Peter Allen
President
AllenCo
2109 Gundry Ave.
Signal Hills, CA 90806-3517
Dear Mr. Allen:
I wrote to you on November 8th asking you to immediately suspend operations at AllenCo's University Park oil and gas pumping facility while an investigation is conducted into reports of severe chemical odors. To date, I have received no response to my letter.
As you know, last week I visited the University Park neighborhood and spoke to local residents who described terrible odors and illnesses, including dizziness, headaches, respiratory ailments, and recurring nosebleeds. One 12-year-old girl who lives across the street from the AllenCo facility told me that she has "heart problems, headaches, nosebleeds frequently and stomach problems." This situation cannot continue unabated.
I am writing to reiterate my request that you immediately suspend operations at AllenCo's University Park facility until the ongoing investigation has been completed, and I ask that you work with the community, as well as federal and local officials, to ensure that residents do not continue to suffer. I must request once again that you provide an immediate response regarding your plans to address the serious concerns of University Park residents.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
Chairman
