California Assembly passes first fracking bill - cool response from Enviro groups and oil industry

It's not over yet. The bill has passed the Assembly, it now goes back to the senate and if it gets past that body it will land on the governors desk. But this was a big step, with several amendments.

First the local response from Citizens for Responsible Oil and Gas: 
"CFROG reminds all that this is only the first step toward making sure the recovery of shale oil beneath Ventura County will not damage the environment," said John Brooks, president of CFROG. "The state regulations control what happens underground, everything else like truck traffic on roads, land use, noise ,air quality ,water quality and supply, access roads and graded pads is the responsibility of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and our city councils. Nothing in the legislation prevents local agencies from moving forward with independent CEQA review of the above ground impacts of tapping the Monterrey shale oil and CFROG needs your help to make sure that will be the next step."

As expected, the industry's response is tepid. 

"WSPA members are disappointed the Assembly passed SB 4 in its current form.  We have acknowledged the need to develop comprehensive and balanced regulations of hydraulic fracturing in California and had hoped SB 4 would provide those regulations," said  Catherine Reheis-Boyd, president of Western States Petroleum Association. "Unfortunately, SB 4 could create conditions that will make it difficult to continue to provide a reliable supply of domestic petroleum energy for California."

And, here is the complete press release from state senator Fran Pavley (D - Agoura Hills) : 

California Assembly Votes to Regulate Fracking
For Immediate Release                                                
September 11, 2013
Contact: Will Jason
916-651-4027                                                                                   
will.jason@sen.ca.gov
"SACRAMENTO – The California State Assembly voted 48-17 Wednesday to approve Senate Bill 4 (Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills), a stunning victory for the public and the environment that moves California a step closer to regulating hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), acidizing and other unregulated oilfield practices.

Unlike at least 14 petroleum producing states including Texas and Wyoming, California does not currently regulate fracking, which is the injection of water, sand and chemicals underground to crack rock formations and free up oil and gas. The state also lacks regulations for acidizing, which is the use of hydrofluoric acid and other corrosive acids to dissolve shale rock. Oil companies have predicted acidizing could be the primary tool for accessing the Monterey Shale, the nation’s largest shale oil deposit with an estimated 15.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil.

SB 4 would require permits for fracking, acidizing and other oil well stimulation practices. It would require notification of neighbors, public disclosure of all chemicals used, groundwater and air quality monitoring and an independent scientific study. The study would evaluate potential risks such as groundwater and surface water contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, local air pollution, seismic impacts, and effects on wildlife, native plants and habitat.

“I commend my colleagues for this crucial and difficult vote,” Pavley said. “There are still many unanswered questions about the use and impacts of fracking and acidizing, and it is in the interest of all Californians to monitor and regulate these practices. Ultimately the oil industry, not the public, should be held accountable for the costs of these activities.”

The bill will be sent to the Senate for concurrence."

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And now for word on the cool response from several environmental groups. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press contact: Jessica Lass, 415-875-6143 / jlass@nrdc.org
California’s Fracking Bill Passes Assembly with Flawed Amendments
NRDC, California League of Conservation Voters, Clean Water Action and Environmental Working Group Oppose New Amendments, No Longer Support SB4  

SACRAMENTO (September 11, 2013) – "The only remaining California bill this term to address fracking (SB 4) passed through the Assembly this morning with new amendments by the oil and gas industry that undermine the bill’s original intent. The Natural Resources Defense Council, California League of Conservation Voters, Clean Water Action and Environmental Working Group no longer support SB4 due to these amendments.

“Californians deserve to have their health and drinking water sources protected from oil and gas development. Last-minute amendments, added due to oil industry pressure, threaten to weaken the environmental review required by CEQA,” said Miriam Gordon, California Director of Clean Water Action. 

“This unfortunate turn of events should give Governor Brown even more reason to immediately put in place a moratorium on fracking and well stimulation while the state evaluates the risks,” said Damon Nagami, senior attorney for NRDC. 

“We appreciate Senator Pavley’s leadership in addressing the environmental and public health threats from fracking,”  said Sarah Rose, CEO of CLCV.

Prior to the introduction of the new amendments that compromise the bill, NRDC, CLCV, CWA and EWG had been working to put the critical safeguards that SB4 contains – new permit requirements, groundwater monitoring, public notification, inter agency management and independent hazards study – in place to protect Californians from risky fracking activities. "

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Another group opposing SB 4 is Physicians for Social Responsibility. 

Keep an eye out for a lobbying push from the energy sector and environmental groups that oppose and support this bill. Notice what kind of response the governor's administration provides.