November 20, 2019 - Washington - Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on Tuesday released the following statement on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s changes to approval for fracking projects in 
California:
“Governor Newsom today announced that California will block all new fracking permits until they can be independently reviewed and halt new permits for high-pressure, steam-injected oil drilling, the type of drilling that caused the Kern County spill over the summer.
“I applaud Governor Newsom’s decision to take a hard, close look at fracking and steam-injected oil drilling throughout the state. Ensuring that these invasive and potentially dangerous extraction methods are safe and won’t harm homes, schools, hospitals and parks is vital.
“California, with its focus on clean energy, has led the nation in moving away from fossil fuels. Reviewing fracking permits and ensuring drilling is done as safely as possible are good steps to move us further in that direction.”
Source: Senator Dianne Feinstein
November 20, 2019 - On Tuesday, Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) issued the following statement in response to the latest oil moratorium announcement. Under the directive of Governor Newsom, the Department of Conservation announced several new actions which include a moratorium on new permits for steam-injected oil drilling in California. This extraction method is crucial for the oil industry in Kern County.
“California’s thirst for oil will not reduce a single barrel by this policy, but as a result we will import more foreign oil and export California's cash. We are a world leader in environmental policy and regulate the oil industry like no other state or country. Those strict regulations are in place to ensure the safety of all operations and that environmental responsibility is held to the highest standard.
“Today’s announcement simply means the Golden State will rely on more of our oil supply shipped in from foreign countries whose environmental policies and humanitarian treatment are far below California’s standards. The Democrats and the governor’s ideological policies will fail to protect our environment and not benefit our economy.
“Furthermore, the bulk of Kern County’s new oil production will be severely impacted by this policy, as well as future capital investment by the producers. If those producers cannot confidently invest in this area, then they will invest elsewhere. The reduction in capital investment will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars in the next twelve months,” said Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove.
The Fresno Bee recently published an op-Ed titled “A truly green energy policy would support oil production in California” which is jointly co-authored by Senator Grove and Taft Mayor Dave Noerr.
Source: CA. Senate Republicans
