ⒸⒻⓇⓄⒼ GUEST COLUMN VENTURA COUNTY STAR FREE PRESS Re: your July 14 editorial, “Pumping up the state’s oversight of ‘fracking’”: Citizens for Responsible Oil & Gas (CFROG) welcomes The Star’s endorsement of Senate Bill 4 that would begin the regulatory process for all forms of oil and gas well-stimulation techniques, including fracking and acidization. Our board voted to endorse the bill by state Sen. Fran Pavley on its merits and because there is currently nothing in place to protect us. SB 4 ensures well casings won’t rupture under high pressure and poison the groundwater; it requires disclosure of the chemicals involved, notification to nearby residents and water testing before and after drilling However, all of these well-intended rules could fail without a local environmental analysis of the cumulative impact of what may soon be hundreds of new wells seeking to recover the Monterey Shale oil. Only a comprehensive EIR could show where these deeper wells can be located so that they don’t harm the groundwater basins. Both California and Ventura County do not have enough inspectors to properly monitor existing oil field operations. We have seen evidence of unreported spills, toxin-laden drilling pads and overflow safety equipment that is inoperative. SB 4 proposes stiff fines, but without surprise and regular inspections, the oil industry will continue to be in the position of self-reporting and -enforcing. CFROG not only calls on the state to pass the new regulations, but also calls on the Board of Supervisors to have its own plan so our air, water, agriculture and economy don’t suffer. John Brooks of Oak View is president of Citizens for Responsible Oil & Gas.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 15:07:30 +0000
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