Newsom orders end to fracking in California by 2024, work toward phasing out all in-state oil production by 2045

BY JOHN COX jcox@bakersfield.com
Apr 23, 2021
Apr 23, 2021

Gov. Gavin Newsom took unprecedented action against California's oil industry Friday with a pair of orders aimed at banning the controversial oilfield technique known as fracking by 2024, then ending in-state petroleum production altogether by 2045 to help address climate change.

The moves, a departure from the governor's campaign to curtail oil production through ever-tighter regulations, incensed industry and Central Valley politicians worried about the loss of good-paying local jobs. They drew criticism as well from environmentalists pushing for quicker action.

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REACTION

“This is out-of-touch behavior at its finest. These irresponsible energy policies are the reason why Californians pay the highest gas prices in the nation. Make no mistake, this is a direct attack on the Central Valley — this order kills our jobs, economies and worsens everyone’s quality of life. California continues to go in the wrong direction with these tone deaf decisions.” — Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield

"With today’s executive order, Governor Newsom has committed to a public process to guide the managed decline of oil and gas production in California, and that is a bold step back into climate leadership after the Legislature’s failure on SB 467 last week. We’re looking forward to engaging with the administration on both the timeline and pathways of this plan, and we will push very hard to phase out extraction on a tighter time frame and in a manner that prioritizes communities and mitigating environmental racism. As a first step, we call on the governor to create an emergency rule creating 2,500 foot oil and gas setbacks from homes, schools, hospitals and other sensitive receptors." — Dan Ress, a staff attorney with the Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment

“It’s disappointing that the Governor’s legally questionable announcement will undermine California’s climate leadership. Curbing in-state production through a well stimulation ban would not change the fact that Californians demand 1.4 million barrels of oil each day. Instead of meeting our vast needs with California oil produced under the planet’s strictest regulations, we would economically reward foreign regimes who do not share our environmental standards and human rights values. Meeting significant climate targets will require large scale projects like carbon capture and using idle wells to store back up energy. Investment in these climate innovations will only be made possible if our industry is able to operate in California.” — Rock Zierman, CEO, California Independent Petroleum Association

“Today’s executive order is an important step toward climate justice, and we are excited that the governor has finally shared what we’ve all known all along: We need to work together to bring about a just transition away from oil and gas in California. We will continue to pressure the administration on the timeline and pathways of this plan, and the best way to start is to protect people and workers most affected first. It’s time for the Governor to support 2,500 foot health and safety buffer zones.” — Kobi Naseck, coalition coordinator with Voices in Solidarity Against Oil in Neighborhoods

“California’s oil and gas consumption has only been reduced by a miniscule amount in over 30 years. For the Governor to destroy these good-paying jobs and import oil from countries with abysmal human rights and environmental records is completely irresponsible.” — state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield

“On the heels of Earth Day, we expect leaders of the California Democratic Party and Governor Newsom to propose and commit to transformative and aggressive timelines towards ending our reliance on fossil fuels and creating clean energy union jobs for frontline communities. Urgent actions are required to protect vulnerable communities now and achieve our emissions reductions goals that meet the scale and timeline of California's climate emergency.” — Bahram Fazeli, policy director, Communities for a Better Environment

“Oil and gas jobs contribute $9.2 billion to Kern County’s economy, roughly 14 percent of our total output. The average annual oil and gas wage in Kern is nearly $81,000 versus the overall average annual wage in Kern of nearly $50,000. Not only are local oil and gas companies among the top taxpayers in Kern County, but the industry itself contributes nearly $200 million in property tax revenues. These funds are crucial to providing support for government services, special districts and schools in Kern County. All of the Governor's energy goals, including renewable energy, lead through Kern County, with our residents footing the bill for all of it, at a devastating price. Banning nearly 20 percent of California’s energy production is a detriment to our workforce, community and economy, and relinquishes our power to maintain the highest efficacies in generating the cleanest energy in the world.” — Phillip Peters, chairman Kern County Board of Supervisors

“We welcome this historic announcement that we need a just transition away from oil. Yet we are acutely aware of the slow and often exclusionary nature of regulatory processes. Communities need immediate relief to the heath assaults of oil and gas extraction in the form of an immediate 2500 foot health and safety buffer. Justice delayed is justice denied.” — Martha Dina Argüello, executive director, Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles

“Today’s announcement by Governor Newsom to ban fracking and phase-out all oil and gas production in California is a transparent attempt to appeal to extremist environmental groups, and I vehemently oppose this action. Unfortunately, nearly 366,000 good-paying jobs supported by the oil and gas industry in our state, 71 percent of which come from right here in Kern County, are now at risk of being jeopardized. This move will also drive up gas prices at the pump and lead California away from energy independence, ultimately making our state more vulnerable to and reliant on foreign competitors to meet our energy needs. Rather than putting the good of all Californians first, Newsom is irresponsibly making California a more expensive place to live and raise a family.” — Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield

“Governor Newsom acknowledging the need to phase out and gas extraction in California is a win for Californians. California needs to move away from fossil fuels to best protect frontline communities and our unique, natural environment. However, the statement today falls short of a mandate. California needs prompt state action to confront the climate crisis. This means shortening the timeline for the fracking ban and requiring the phase-out of oil and gas production earlier. And glaringly absent from the order: a statewide setback rule. Setbacks from oil and gas wells are necessary to protect the health and safety of frontline communities. Time is not a luxury we have to tackle a crisis of this scale. If the Governor is to continue to paint California as a pioneer in the transition away from fossil fuels, he’ll have to recognize this urgency and act swiftly.” — Brandon Dawson, acting director, Sierra Club California

"The governor's unilateral actions without legislative authority is an abuse of power. While I share the vision for a cleaner future, the governor's actions today have put the lives, economy and well-being of thousands of California families in jeopardy. The governor's actions will lead to people losing their jobs and paychecks and thus their ability to put food on the table to take care of their families. Unfortunately, the governor's actions will only lead to more pollution, cost Californians good paying jobs and will force additional imports from tankers from overseas countries who do not share California's same high standards for environmental protection nor human rights. I am calling on the governor to provide a detail 'Just Transition' plan for the families and local economies that will face devastating job loss and cuts to social service programs under these new orders." — Assemblyman Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield

“It’s historic and globally significant that Gov. Newsom has committed California to phase out fossil fuel production and ban fracking, but we don’t have time for studies and delays. Californians living next to these dirty and dangerous drilling operations need protection from oil industry pollution today. Every fracking and drilling permit issued does more damage to our health and climate.” — Kassie Siegel, director of the Climate Law Institute at the Center for Biological Diversity

“Once again, Governor Newsom has chosen to ignore science, data and facts to govern by bans, mandates and personal fiat. Banning nearly 20 percent of the energy production in our state will only hurt workers, families and communities in California and turns our energy independence over to foreign suppliers. Through all means possible, we will join with workers, community leaders and others who wish to protect access to safe, affordable and reliable energy to fight this harmful and unlawful mandate. We will be a key part of an equitable energy future for California.” — Catherine Reheis-Boyd, president and CEO, Western States Petroleum Association

“For decades, communities of color living next to refineries and oil fields have demanded an end to fossil fuel extraction that endangers families and shortens their lives. Today’s commitment to ending oil extraction is a hard-fought victory and a historic signal that California is committed to addressing the root of our climate crisis. As we move to sunset oil extraction, we need swift steps to achieve California’s climate and equity goals, including immediate protections via a 2500 foot setback for families experiencing unconscionable health and safety impacts from neighborhood oil drilling, and deep investments to create quality, healthy jobs in the renewable energy economy. After today’s directive, legislators, regulatory agencies and local decision makers have no excuse for incrementalism. As we celebrate today’s directive — the result of decades of organizing by frontline communities — we urge the governor to further direct the Air Resources Board to center climate justice and equity in their Climate Change Scoping Plan. CARB’s past efforts to address oil production and refining have sacrificed community health for false solutions. Even with today’s commendable action, unless the state also addresses the refining sector, it cannot meet its climate and equity goals. With refinery production and exports growing each year, and refiners seeking the replacement of petroleum feedstocks with more carbon intensive and climate disruptive biofuels, California risks locking itself in as the gas station of the Pacific Rim, and at the expense of our communities’ health.” — Gladys Limón, executive director, California Environmental Justice Alliance

“Governor Newsom has chosen to hurt Central Valley families with his decision to halt new permits for hydraulic fracturing in California. Ninety-five percent of all oil extracted this way in the state comes from the valley. In an area where good-paying jobs are at a premium, time will tell he has made the wrong call. The Board of Directors of Central Valley BizFed is concerned about the economic fallout of this decision, but is committed to working with the Newsom administration to find a way forward that will both protect the environment and ensure job security for the thousands of energy-sector workers and their families who will no doubt be affected.” — Clint Olivier, CEO, Central Valley Business Federation

“While it is significant that for the first time Governor Newsom is acknowledging the need to ban fracking and his authority to do it, this announcement is a half measure as it allows continued drilling and fracking for the next 2½ years. It comes after years of pressure and dedicated organizing by thousands of Californians who want a just transition away from fracking now. Directing his regulatory agencies to do the work over 2½ years that the governor can do today is more of the dodging we’ve seen from Newsom during his entire tenure. Phasing out oil drilling is absolutely necessary, but 2045 is a long way off. Until then, Newsom leaves Californians on the frontlines to pay for the oil industry’s scars on the landscape and damage to community health. He needs to use the authority the law has given him to stop issuing all new oil and gas permits, ban fracking completely and phase out oil drilling now starting with a 2,500 foot health and safety buffer between wells and sensitive sites. Newsom needs to protect our water supplies as we head into a destructive drought and guard our frontline communities from further harm.” — Alexandra Nagy, California director, Food & Water Watch

“The Governor’s actions could not come at a worse time for the Central Valley, which is already reeling from a drought that — together with this decision — may cause a national food crisis. Energy makes up 19 percent of the American food supply chain. Make no doubt the cost of food will increase and severely impact the health of vulnerable communities who are already struggling. We cannot repeat the food crisis of 1974. The potential consequences of a food crisis extend beyond the Central Valley and California. We can all do better and be part of the solution.” — State Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Sanger

“Newsom’s announcement today continues his misguided and heartless attack on Kern County communities and families, where the oil and gas industry contributes nearly $200 million in property taxes to local governments and schools, provides 17,000 good-paying direct jobs, and twice that number of indirect jobs. Kern County’s oil and gas industry has the cleanest and safest standard of production in the world, but Newsom inexplicably prefers to supply California’s growing demand for oil from foreign countries with terrible environmental standards and loathsome human rights records. Newsom, and his radical environmentalist allies continue to tell the lie that green energy will replace the lost tax dollars to the County of Kern after they destroy our oil industry, but they refuse to end solar energy’s statewide property tax exclusion, resulting in only $1.5 million in annual property taxes compared to the $80 million annually that oil and gas contribute.” — Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner