Newsom administration denies fracking permits - a California first for climate change
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Aera Energy oils rigs in the South Belridge Oil Field in Kern County. The state denied the Bakersfield company 21 fracking permits, citing concerns for public health and climate change.George Rose/Getty Images
California state regulators have denied a string of applications to drill for oil using the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, a move Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office described Friday as the beginning of the end for fracking in the state.
The 21 fracking applications, which sought new operations in the oil-rich fields of Kern County, were turned down Thursday because of what the California Department of Conservation cited as a need to protect public health and address climate change.
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This article was produced by the award-winning journalism nonprofit, Capital & Main. It is republished here with permission.
Throughout 2020 and early 2021, California issued more than 300 permits to oil and gas companies for new underground injection wells an intensive form of oil production and wastewater disposal.
But the actual number of new injection wells is likely higher, owing to the state’s opaque approval process that has drawn scrutiny from auditors and environmentalists. Some of these undercounted wells may be polluting groundwater used for public drinking and agricultural purposes, according to regulatory filings reviewed by Capital & Main.
The impact of injection wells on groundwater in California is understudied, regulators say. The California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM), which issues the permits and regulates the industry, is currently the subject of a lawsuit alleging the division issued permits for wells without required environmental revie
Throughout 2020 and early 2021, California issued more than 300 permits to oil and gas companies for new underground injection wells an intensive form of oil production and wastewater disposal.
But the actual number of new injection wells is likely higher, owing to the state’s opaque approval process that has drawn scrutiny from auditors and environmentalists. Some of these undercounted wells may be polluting groundwater used for public drinking and agricultural purposes, according to regulatory filings reviewed by Capital & Main.
The impact of injection wells on groundwater in California is understudied, regulators say. The California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM), which issues the permits and regulates the industry, is currently the subject of a lawsuit alleging the division issued permits for wells without required environmental reviews.