Press Release
September 11, 2013
TO: State Senator Fran Pavley
SUBJECT: SB 4 (Pavley): Oil and gas: well stimulation — Support if amended
Dear Senator Pavley:
On behalf of our nearly one 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
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