Fracking Ban, Oil-Gas Setback Bill Dies in California Senate (2)

摘要

Legislation in California to ban fracking and other extreme oil and gas extraction operations, and set a 2,500-foot buffer near sensitive areas, died in committee Tuesday. Democratic senators Scott Wiener and Monique Limon, who authored the measure, said the 4-3 vote was disappointing but that the fight wasn't over. "Frontline communities of color stood up for their families and against drilling practices that severely harm people's health, particularly children's health," they said in a joint statement. "We'll continue to fight for aggressive climate action, against harmful drilling, and for the health of our communities." The bill would have barred new or existing well stimulation permits after January 2022, with those operations prohibited in 2023. Other extreme extraction methods used to break gas free and bring it to the surface would have been banned in 2027 and 2035. Wiener had said the bill would "jump-start the conversation of how and when California will phase out oil and gas extraction in the state." The bill's defeat in the Senate Natural Resources and Water committee-with Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg (D) and Den Hueso (D) declining to vote-means that conversation could be on hold.