California could phase out fracking, other oil drilling under bill headed for first test in Legislature

[Source: KQED] Legislation that would gradually phase out fracking and other extraction methods that account for most of California’s petroleum production faces its first big test in Sacramento on Tuesday. The nine-member Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee is set to vote on a proposal, Senate Bill 267 (Bill Text – SB-467 Oil and gas: Read More…

New Aera CEO: Calls to ban in-state oil production ‘a dangerous idea’ for California

[Source: Bakersfield.com] The new head of Bakersfield-based oil producer Aera Energy LLC on Thursday condemned growing calls to end California petroleum production, charging in an exclusive interview that the industry’s opponents are ignoring science and confusing people into supporting a “dangerous idea” that would cost jobs, tax revenue and energy independence without making needed progress Read More…

Federal environmental regulators dispel fracking fears

[Source: Forbes] Last month, the Obama Administration’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (“BSEE”) in a ruling found no significant environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing off the California shores. The debate over the safety and implications of fracking has grown over several years to include issues of water Read More…