What happened, briefly and accurately
From October 2015 to February 2016, a failed well at the Aliso Canyon storage field released roughly 100,000 metric tons of methane — prompting relocations of thousands of households, school closures, and years of litigation. SoCalGas and Sempra announced a settlement of up to $1.8B in 2021 covering plaintiff claims and funding a long-term community health study. The well field returned to limited operation under Division of Oil/CalGEM and CPUC oversight with enhanced monitoring and reduced capacity.
The 2026 buyer checklist
- Disclosures: sellers disclose known material facts; proximity to the facility appears in standard NHD and seller disclosures for affected tracts. Read them, ask questions.
- Current status: verify the facility's present operating posture via CPUC/CalGEM publications — the state's phase-down planning has moved over the years, and current facts beat 2016 headlines in both directions.
- The health study: the settlement-funded community health research is ongoing — buyers who want the science should follow its official publications.
- The market record: prices recovered and exceeded pre-incident levels; Toll Brothers' continuing build-out is the demand verdict. The premium explainer carries that story.
Market context
| Market | Median price | Days on market | County | School district(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porter Ranch | $1,250,000 | 23 | Los Angeles | Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) |
| Granada Hills | $992,000 | 20 | Los Angeles | Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD); Granada Hills Charter High School (independent charter) |
| Northridge | $1,000,000 | 44 | Los Angeles | Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), West Valley; Granada Hills Charter High School zoning crossover |
| Chatsworth | $945,000 | 54 | Los Angeles | Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), with several charter options |
Figures from /data.json, the site’s canonical data file (June 2026). Always verify current numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aliso Canyon still operating?
Yes, under enhanced monitoring and reduced caps, with state-level planning directed at long-term phase-down — timelines have shifted repeatedly; verify the current CPUC/CalGEM status when you buy.
Did the leak permanently hurt Porter Ranch values?
No — the market repriced during the crisis era and then recovered to become the Valley's premium new-build market (~$1.25M median, June 2026). It remains a legitimate disclosure and diligence item.
What should buyers actually do about it?
Read the disclosures, check current facility status from official sources, and weigh it like any environmental-adjacency factor — on today's facts, at today's prices, with your own risk tolerance.
Work with Brian Cooper
20+ years and $100M+ closed across Ventura County, the San Fernando Valley, and the Conejo Valley. Direct, data-first representation — you work with Brian, not a hand-off.
Contact Brian Home Value