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Week Ending February 9, 2006

H.R.238 To repeal a prohibition on the use of certain funds for tunneling in certain areas with respect to the Los Angeles to San Fernando Valley Metro Rail project, California.

{An identical bill by the same sponsor was passed by the House last year but was not considered in the Senate.}

Following a March 1985 methane explosion in a store in the Wilshire-Fairfax District of Los Angeles gas flames burned all night. A test was made and it was determined that a pressurized methane gas pocket 42 feet below the building had leaked into the building, accumulated and was somehow ignited.  Other less pressurized pockets were found in the area. The pockets were piped and the pressure released with control valves.

At the time, Los Angeles was contemplating an underground metro-rail system expansion. An investigative task force found two methane risk zones. Congress provided funds for the Transportation Department to give grants to build a segment of the Los Angeles to San Fernando Valley metro rail but required a study of potentially risky methane gas pockets and prohibited any taxpayer funds to be spent until the local transit authority commits to the Federal government that no part of the metro rail project will tunnel through or into any potential risk zone or high potential risk zone for methane gas, the bill report said.

With the advent since 1985 of new technology and geological knowledge, the review panel reported that tunneling along the Wilshire Boulevard corridor can be done safely if proper procedures and techniques are used. The bill, then would remove the prohibition of the distribution of funds to the project.

Sponsor:  Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA-30^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote February 6, 2007.

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.  “CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4653 by itself would have no cost to the federal government.”

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