Pavley responds to concerns over SB 4 and clarifies intent

Last week state senator Fran Pavley (D - Agoura Hills) sent a letter to Secretary of the Senate, Gregory Schmidt to "clarify the intent of Senate Bill 4." 

Pavley writes that the bill will add a "discretionary permit requirement for all well stimulation activity," which will include fracking, acidization and other "practices to stimulate production." She also clarifies that the bill is not intended "to preempt existing laws, regulations, and orders...including, local governments authority over land use... the Governor's constitutional and statutory powers to issue a moratorium or a ban." 

Several groups have said they are concerned that with the passage of SB 4 fracking could happen unchecked until the scientific study required by SB 4 is completed (to be done by Jan. 2015) - Pavley says that is not the case. "Is it not my intent that any well stimulations be allowed to proceed under this section unless full compliance with the substantive requirements of this article are certified by the operator as having been met."

The Governor is expected to sign SB 4. 

The letter is below: