City Council To Weigh Stance On Tougher Fracking Regulations
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Members of the Los Angeles City Council are expected to consider a resolution calling for tougher regulations on local fracking activities when they return from recess next week.
In addition to regulations introduced in a State Senate bill, the resolution (PDF) introduced by Councilmember Bernard Parks calls for more clarity on how scientific studies are conducted, as well as increased transparency of information provided to the public before fracking operations are permitted.
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is a method of extracting petroleum and gas used for energy from rock layers and shale.
Opponents say fracking may pose public health risks and lead to property damage, contaminated air and groundwater, and increased seismicity, which may trigger earthquakes.
Residents and city officials have voiced concern over potential risks stemming from current fracking operations in and around the communities of Baldwin Hills, Inglewood and Culver City.
LA City Council Members Concerned About Local Fracking
The Inglewood oil field — one of the largest oil fields in Los Angeles — is also located adjacent to Parks' 8th District, according to Parks' office.
Senate Bill 4, which is currently being debated by lawmakers in Sacramento, is the only piece of legislation out of seven bills introduced that contained the phrase "hydraulic fracturing" that has managed to move beyond the committee stage in their respective house of origin, Parks' office said in a statement.
The City Council has yet to take a position on SB 4, which is now in the Appropriations committee and will be considered when Council members return from recess on August 13.
A landmark federal study on hydraulic fracturing showed no evidence that chemicals from the natural gas drilling process moved up to contaminate drinking water aquifers at a western Pennsylvania drilling site, the Department of Energy told The Associated Press last month.
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