Amid climate crisis, California approves far more drilling permits
FacebookTwitterEmail
1of2
Pumpjacks operate at a drilling site on Deer Valley Road in Antioch. New drilling permits have increased dramatically in 2020.Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
2of2
Oil pumps and drilling equipment in an oil field in Kern County, where the majority of California s oil and gas production is centered.Brian van der Brug / LA Times via Getty ImagesShow MoreShow Less
SACRAMENTO In the same year Gov. Gavin Newsom declared that the state faced a “climate damn emergency” with wildfires, his administration approved far more permits to let companies drill new oil and gas wells.
Group submits 45,000 signatures to stop Ventura County s oil rules Kathleen Wilson, Ventura County Star
Tens of thousands of signatures were submitted this week to Ventura County elections officials to repeal new environmental standards for oil drilling, suspending the implementation of the rules for now.
It is unclear how long it will take elections workers to certify whether roughly 30,900 valid signatures of registered voters in Ventura County were submitted for each of two ordinances containing the rules, but the task must be completed in 30 business days. More than 45,000 signatures were submitted Thursday for each ordinance, Assistant Registrar of Voters Tracy Saucedo said.