A year after a blowout at a natural gas well near Los Angeles spewed tons of noxious gas and drove thousands from their homes, a federal task force is recommending dozens of safety changes for the nation's 400 underground natural gas storage facilities.

A report released Tuesday recommends that operators of gas storage sites conduct strict risk assessments and develop robust safety procedures, including ensuring that storage wells have backup systems to contain gas flows in the event of a leak.

The leak at the Aliso Canyon well was the largest-known release of climate-changing methane in U.S. history, spewing an estimated 107,000 tons of methane before being controlled in February. The blowout sickened residents in the Porter Ranch neighborhood and surrounding suburbs.

The failed Aliso Canyon well was one of 115 wells at a sprawling storage facility operated by Southern California Gas. It used a design that made it dependent on a single barrier to contain the gas. When that barrier failed, a blowout reported Oct. 23 spewed methane for nearly four months.

SoCalGas has pleaded no contest to a criminal charge and agreed to pay $4 million in a settlement with prosecutors.

Ford says it's cutting production

Ford is cutting production as U.S. demand for new vehicles slows, but, so far, its rivals aren't doing the same.

Ford said Tuesday it will temporarily idle four of its North American assembly plants this month to better align production with demand.

After six straight years of growth, U.S. sales of new vehicles are slowing. In the first nine months of this year, U.S. sales totaled 13.1 million new vehicles, up less than 1 percent from 2015.

“This is a roller coaster that's gone to the top,” said Mike Harley, an analyst with Kelley Blue Book. “I wouldn't be surprised if other automakers follow suit.”

General Motors and Fiat Chrysler said Tuesday that all of their plants are operating normally.

Research on cognitive capabilities

The U.S. Army and Tufts University are working to learn more about how people think and respond under stress.

Their new cognitive sciences center officially opened Tuesday in Medford, Mass. The research aims to help soldiers and civilian first responders, such as firefighters.

Scientists and engineers are figuring out how to measure, predict and enhance people's cognitive capabilities so they can better solve problems and remember information in high-stakes environments.

The Center for Applied Brain and Cognitive Sciences was founded by Tufts and the Army's Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center.

THE BOTTOM LINE

0.3% The increase last month in consumer prices, the Labor Department said Tuesday. Much of that rise stemmed from energy, housing and prescription drugs. Energy costs surged 2.9 percent in September as oil and gasoline prices rebounded from recent lows. Previous price declines still mean that gas costs 6.4 percent less than a year ago. Inflation has stayed relatively low despite job growth that has brought more workers into the economy.