Consumer Watchdog Applauds Fracking Ban, Calls For More Steps As First Quarter 2021 Oil Permit Approvals Plunge News provided by Share this article Share this article LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Newsom's ban on fracking in 2024 is a step in the right direction, and with the number of permit approvals falling dramatically so far this year, he has a perfect opening to take even stronger steps, Consumer Watchdog said today. "We applaud Newsom's executive action to ban fracking, but he shouldn't kick the can down the road another three years," said Consumer Advocate Liza Tucker. "The ban should be immediate. And Newsom should move on establishing a 2,500-foot setback between frontline communities and oil drilling operations. An anticipated rule from CalGEM on that is long overdue."