Environmental Groups: Fix Fracking Bill

(Updated 2:00 pm PST): Four environmental groups--including CLCV--who have advocated for a bill to implement the first-ever comprehensive fracking regulations in California withdrew our support today.

The only remaining California bill this term to address fracking, SB 4, passed through the Assembly today 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 SB 4, authored by state Senator Fran Pavley, due to these amendments.

Read the press release here.

Before the Assembly voted on the bill this morning, the groups asked Senator Pavley to correct the new language in the bill added last Friday.

In our letter to Senator Pavley, the four organizations expressed continued support for the bill's provisions for safeguards from fracking and acidizing, but said we oppose new provisions that can be interpreted to undermine the state's landmark California Environmental Quality Act or the governor's authority to issue a statewide moratorium on fracking:

"On behalf of our nearly a million California members and voters, our organizations write to express our position of support if amended for SB 4. Our organizations oppose newly amended provisions in the bill as adopted on the Assembly floor on September 6, 2013, and call for them to be addressed. Aside from the provisions described below, we support the many safeguards from fracking and acidizing that the bill would put into law, including requiring a permit to frack or acidize a well, groundwater monitoring, neighbor notification and public disclosure of all chemicals  injected.

Specifically, we call for technical changes that correct language that can be interpreted to provide additional authority to DOGGR regarding CEQA review, and clarification regarding the Governor’s executive authority to issue a moratorium on fracking. We support Senator Pavley’s efforts to hold the oil and gas industry accountable for all forms of well stimulation."

We support much of the bill and call for amendments to address the concerns expressed above.

Sincerely,

Sarah Rose, Executive Director California League of Conservation Voters

Miriam Gordon, California Director Clean Water Action

Bill Allayaud,California Director of Government Affairs Environmental Working Group

Victoria Rome, Legislative Director Natural Resources Defense Council