CA Committee Vote on BLoom bill to halt fracking in state

Assemblymember Richard Bloom has penned AB 1301, and it goes to a vital committee vote at the Committee on Natural Resources (CNR) on Monday, April 29. Supporters of the bill say it's the best chance to halt fracking in the state while research is done and regulations are put in place. 

The CNR's website says the committee's " Primary jurisdiction includes air quality, climate change, energy efficiency, renewable energy, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), coastal protection, forestry, land conservation, oil spills, solid waste and recycling."
The hearing is set for 1:30 pm on Monday, April 29


Members of the public can let their legislatures know they support the bill by calling or writing their state reps. (Click here to use Credo Action)
State legislators for Ventura County areas include Sen. Hannah Beth Jackson and Assemblymember Das Williams. Each of them have authored bills aimed at fracking as well. 


According to the CNR the bill is listed as "Active; Non-Urgency; Non-Appropriations" and a majority vote is required. It will add text to the Public Resources Code relating to oil and gas.


the bill reads: 


This bill would define “hydraulic fracturing” and would prohibit 

hydraulic fracturing in oil and gas operations until the Legislature 

enacts subsequent legislation that determines whether and under what 

conditions hydraulic fracturing may be conducted while protecting the 

public health and safety and the natural resources of the state. 


...
3017. “Hydraulic fracturing” means a technique used in 

 preparing a well that typically involves the pressurized injection 

 of water and chemicals, compounds, and materials into an 

 underground geologic formation in order to expand existing 

 fractures or create new fractures in that formation, thereby causing 

 or enhancing the production of oil or gas from a well. Hydraulic 

   fracturing shall include the terms “fracking,” “hydrofracking,” 

 “hydrofracturing,” “unconventional shale drilling,” and other 

   colloquial terms referencing this drilling technique. 

SEC. 2. Section 3203.5 is added to the Public Resources Code, 

   to read: 

 (a)  Notwithstanding any other law, hydraulic 

 fracturing operations are prohibited. 

   (b)  This section shall remain in effect until the Legislature enacts 

 subsequent legislation that determines whether and under what 

   conditions hydraulic fracturing may be conducted while protecting 

   the public health and safety and the natural resources of the state. 

To read the bill click here.


To view the agenda/report on the August 2012 oversight hearing of the CNR regarding the state's Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources click here. This agenda includes the DOGGR images showing drilling/fracking an other aspects of oil production including cyclical steam injection.