California Governor Signs Bill Limiting Oil, Gas Development
California
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday signed a law intended to counter Trump
administration plans to increase oil and gas production on protected public
land.
The
measure bars any California leasing authority from allowing pipelines or other
oil and gas infrastructure to be built on state property. It makes it difficult
for drilling to occur because federally protected areas are adjacent to
state-owned land.
The
law sends a "clear message to (President Donald) Trump that we will fight
to protect these beautiful lands for current and future generations," said
Democratic Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, who introduced it.
Ann
Alexander, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, praised the
law and other environmental measures the governor has signed.
"These
bills are important steps toward prioritizing California's communities over the
oil industry." Alexander said. "In a perfect California, we wouldn't
be producing or using oil at all, and we hope to get there soon. But in the
California we live in now, the governor and the legislature have recognized the
need to protect our citizens from the threats that the oil industry poses to
our health and environment."
Also
on Saturday, the governor signed several immigration-related bills.
Newsom
signed a bill that bans the use of noncriminal information from the state's
telecommunications database for immigration enforcement purposes, with some
exceptions.
He
also signed bills that:
—
Allow Californians who are not U.S. citizens the ability to serve on boards and
commissions.
—
Require California community colleges and the California State University
system to designate a Dreamer Resource Liaison on campus to help immigrant
students. In addition, Newsom signed a law that renames the California agency
that regulates the oil and gas industry. Language in the measure states the
mission of the newly christened Geologic Energy Management Division includes
protecting public health and environmental quality.
The
governor ordered the firing of the agency's head in July, when it was still
called the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources. Ken Harris was
dismissed over an increase in state permits for hydraulic fracturing and
allegations of conflicts of interest among senior government officials.
Republicans
argued Harris' firing was rash.
Newsom's
office also asked the state's natural resources secretary to continue an
investigation into reports that employees at the agency own stock in companies
they regulate.
Advocacy
groups Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker Alliance released data over the summer
showing regulators have been issuing permits for hydraulic fracturing at twice
the rate this year when compared with 2018.
Newsom
said the number of hydraulic fracturing permits had increased without his
knowledge. California has sought to limit the controversial practice known as
fracking.