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Unanimous vote by county board on fracking issue maintains status quo

Flickr/Ben Klocek

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday night on the issue of hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking' as it's more commonly known.

The vote was in line with what members of the local petroleum industry were requesting during the board's public comment period, in which more than 50 people were signed up to speak.

The supervisors had six different options they could take regarding the issue (options A through F) and unanimously chose option A; to receive a staff report on the topic and to follow what happens regarding SB-4—a state set of oil and gas regulations that was signed into law a year ago. SB-4 requires implementation by the state's Division of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources (DOGGR). That process is expected to be complete by July, 2015.

Fourth District Supervisor Caren Ray indicated she'd like to eventually have the board formally hear from groups affected by any possible fracking regulation, such as the farm bureau. 

Supervisors argued there currently isn't any overriding need for additional regulations as the fracking method isn't being used within the county and the state has its set of laws ready to be implemented. On more than one occasion the supervisors mentioned the fracking issue as sitting low on the priority of county needs scale.

Hydraulic fracturing is an oil and gas drilling process that involves injecting a high-pressure mixture of water and other chemicals into layers of rock to release the trapped petroleum.

Many of those against increasing any sort of county limits or bans regarding fracking were members of the oil and gas industry, and made up a good portion of those speaking to the board.

"Energy needs can be met in safe and environmentally sensitive manner, and I'm proud to play a part in California's energy production," said Cal Poly grad Chad Hammond. "I urge the board to continue to embrace the energy sector, recognizing its foundational role in meeting community energy needs and providing much needed employment for local graduates like me."

The group of speakers calling for greater county control cited water usage and groundwater contamination issues as their main concerns.

"You are responsible for the health and safety of the people, and not just the people who are currently here but the people who are yet to be born, and their children and their children also," said Amanda Rice from Cambria, a self-identified member of the CCSD. "There are immediate concerns I'm sure, legal and otherwise, but you have to keep an eye to the longer term."

San Luis Obispo County currently has three operating oil fields, two of which are under county control, including the Arroyo Grande field in Price Canyon near Pismo Beach.

Monterey County supervisors considered this same issue on Tuesday during an informational-only meeting.

Voters in Santa Barbara County will consider this issue with Measure P in November.

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