Today, following Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement that he is directing the California Department of Geologic Energy Management to: suspend new permits for high-pressure steam injection oil drilling; require review of hydraulic fracturing and other well stimulation permits; and undertake a rulemaking to consider measures to protect Californians from the dangers of oil drilling in close proximity to homes, schools, and other inhabited buildings, NextGen California’s Senior Policy Advisor David Weiskopf released the following statement:
“We commend Governor Newsom for taking these important steps towards protecting Californians from the dangers of neighborhood oil drilling and to hold oil companies accountable for unsafe practices that result in oil spills and damage to our air, water, land, and public health. We know that neighborhood drilling is dangerous and look forward to working with the Administration to ensure this rulemaking results in meaningful protections for Californians in vulnerable communities that have for too long suffered from the oil industry’s irresponsible practices.”