The topic of regulating hydraulic fracturing locally took to new turns recently when Beverly Hills issued a conditioned moratorium and Carson did an about face on suspending a ban on the controversial oil technique.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process used by oil and gas firms to access petroleum or shale in rock formations thousands of feet underground. Large quantities of water and chemicals are injected into the rock to gain access to the gas.
“We congratulate the Beverly Hills City Council for passing a ban on fracking and related toxic extraction techniques. Given its proximity to oil and gas activity, it makes sense for Beverly Hills to join the growing number of cities and counties that have acted to protect their residents from severe health, safety and environmental impacts,” said Brenna Norton, Southern California organizer of Food & Water Watch. “We look forward to seeing this ordinance take effect and setting a positive example for other communities and Gov. [Jerry ] Brown, who should immediately enact a statewide moratorium to protect all Californians.”
Members of Frack Free Culver City, a group of residents who oppose hydraulic fracturing, have been pushing for the city to adopt a moratorium on fracking. Only 10 percent of the oil wells in the Inglewood Oilfield in Baldwin Hills are located in Culver City and oil and gas production company Freeport McMoRan has not indicated that they will be seeking to obtain oil permits to drill in Culver City.
In March, the Carson City Council passed a moratorium on any drilling for 45 days. But on April 24, three members of the council switched positions after hearing from Occidental Petroleum Corp. officials that no fracking would take place within the city’s boundaries.
They also heard from union members who said a moratorium could cost the community well-paying jobs. Culver City Councilman Andrew Weissman pointed out that in both cases no hydraulic fracturing has been conducted and in Carson’s case, the city was able to obtain a promise from Occidental that they would not engage in fracking.
“I personally don’t read too much into Beverly Hills’ intent to place a moratorium on fracking on its single oil well, which the staff reports notes is not and has never been fracked and top of which, the lease runs out in 2016 and the city has already announced it does not plan to extend it,” Weissman said. “In Carson, I don’t know if its decision not to pursue its moratorium was based upon their reliance on what Occidental said: that it does not intend to use hydraulic fracturing or acidization in its oil drilling operations or something else.”
Sabrina Lockhart, the communications director for Californians for a Safe, Secure Energy Future, said her coalition had talked to Culver City officials about their discussions about a possible ban on fracking. She mentioned that part of what she calls her organization’s campaign to educate legislators on hydraulic fracturing is Senate Bill 4 by former state Sen. Fran Pavely (D- Agora Hills) that mandates the completion of an independent scientific study on well stimulation treatments, including acid well stimulation and hydraulic fracturing treatments be conducted on oil wells after Jan. 1.
“There are many lawmakers who aren’t aware that much of Senate Bill 4 is being implemented,” Lockhart said. “It seems like [Culver City] is taking a cautious approach to considering a municipal ban on hydraulic fracturing.”
The bill also requires an owner or operator of a well to record and include all data on acid treatments and well stimulation treatments as specified. Lockart said the Department of Conservation has also begun instituting some of the strongest safeguard in the nation on hydraulic fracturing and well stimulation. In addition, Sen. Holly Mitchell (D- Culver City) is pushing a bill that would place a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.
Weissman said that having the state adopt legal guidelines regulating fracking is the preferred method, which would make any local prohibitions unnecessary.
“Of course, if the state adopts a moratorium and the governor signs it, preemption may be an issue,” he said. “I think it would be beneficial for there to be a uniform approach to the issue of fracking. As has been pointed out numerous times, Culver City acting in its 10 percent of the Inglewood Oil Field is of little consequence if there isn’t corresponding action in the county’s remaining 90 percent.”
Lockhart pointed to a recently released study by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation that states that the oil and gas industry in California is responsible for 188,500 direct jobs and 468,000 total jobs. The study also indicates oil and gas firms provide $21.6 billion in state and local tax revenue and $15 billion in federal taxes. “There is a strong economic component to this,” she said.
Weissman said while the council continues to study whether or not to enact a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, he would have to see the immediacy in taking such a decisive stand. “I would need to be convinced at the time of a vote on a moratorium what the urgent need is,” he said. “I’m reserving judgment until it comes before us.”
