February 14, 2024
Acting on an executive order issued by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021, the agency known as California’s Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) proposed changing state regulations to no longer issue new permits for hydraulic fracking. The CalGEM proposal, released on February 9, 2024, would halt fracking for the stated purposes of protecting life, health, safety, property and natural resources, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate the climate crisis.
A study from Harvard University, in collaboration with three English universities, found that one in five premature deaths globally can be attributed to fossil fuel air pollution. According to this research, 34,000 people in California died in 2018 from fossil fuel air pollution prematurely. These figures are three times higher than previously suggested by other studies.
“We thank Governor Newsom for keeping his promise to stop fracking and welcome CalGEM’s proposed rule. Now the state should stop issuing any new permits for all oil and gas operations. The scientific evidence is overwhelming: fossil fuels endanger our lives and livelihoods while fueling the climate crisis,” said Dominic Frongillo, Elected Officials to Protect America Executive Director & Co-Founder. “More than 480 current and former elected officials have signed our letter asking the Governor to phase out fossil fuels to help reach a 100 percent clean energy economy for a healthy, safe, prosperous state with equity for all. California can lead the way.”
The fracking procedure injects liquids into the bedrock at high pressures, causing cracks that make it easier to access oil and gas reserves deep in the earth. The process also emits health damaging pollutants into the air, can increase the risk of oil spills, and uses liquids that contain harmful toxins or other carcinogens.
“Every day elected officials are working to make CA a healthy, safe, prosperous state with equity for all by phasing out fossil fuels. According to PPIC polling, a majority of Californians are opposed to fracking and support Newsom’s 2021 order to stop it,” said Heidi Harmon, Fmr. Mayor of San Luis Obispo, EOPA California Leadership Council. “While I thank Governor Newsom and CalGEM for the proposed rule to stop any new permits for fracking, I implore them to stop any permitting for ALL new oil and gas operations. CA is the fifth largest economy, let’s show the way to energy independence, prosperity and equality for all.”
CalGEM estimated production induced by fracking represented about 15 percent to 20 percent of California oil and gas production during the last five years.
“Governor Newsom’s plan to phase out fracking is in motion. At EOPA California we’re proud to have been fighting for this outcome since 2017, and are grateful to the Governor for his leadership,” said Meghan Sahli-Wells, Fmr.Culver City Mayor, EOPA California Director. “Now, it’s time to finish the job and complete a phase out of all fossil fuel operations as we transition to a 100 percent clean energy. With offshore wind, solar, land based wind and other clean energy sources energy independence from fossil fuels is within our reach.”
Most fracking operations in California are carried out in oil fields in Kern County in the state’s Central Valley.
“The lives and livelihoods of agricultural workers, fossil fuel workers, teachers, community leaders, literally of everyone in our community are continually at risk from the pollution the oil and gas operations pose every day. Ending any new permits for fracking will help,” said Salvador Solorio-Ruiz, Delano Vice Mayor, Kern County, EOPA California Leadership Council. “But so much more needs to be done to substantially improve our quality of life. We must stop issuing any new permits for all gas and oil extraction, cap the idle wells, and phase out this antiquated climate warming energy as we accelerate our transition to 100 percent clean energy use.”
The emotional worry and stress fracking adds to communities where people fear the negative impacts of these operations for the family’s health is very real and was recognized by CalGEM.
“Air pollution knows no boundaries. As a former agricultural worker, I know about the dangers of breathing in the toxins from fracking operations as too many farms abate oil and gas operations. Oil and gas drilling has already significantly impacted the air we breathe. The drilling releases a toxic soup of chemicals and tiny particles, which gets into our lungs and sticks there. Scientific studies show a direct link between drilling and a long list of health problems, from chronic asthma and cancers to preterm births,” said Felipe Perez, Firebaugh Mayor, Fresno County, EOPA California Leadership Council. “While I thank the Governor and CalGEM for the proposed rule to stop any new fracking permits we must all continue to protect our citizens from these devastating health impacts by phasing out all fossil fuels.”
“This regulatory proposal aims to protect life; property; public health and safety; and environmental quality, including mitigating greenhouse emissions associated with the development of hydrocarbon resources by prohibiting new permits to conduct WST across California’s oil and gas sector,” the department’s Geologic Energy Management Division said in a statement.
CalGEM is accepting public comments on the proposal until 11:59 p.m. March 27. They can be submitted by email to calgemregulations@conservation.ca.gov.
An online public hearing on the matter is set for 5:30 p.m. March 26. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9zermeFDRJGhlZLJpLZrAA#/registration.