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Yahoo!Assemblymember Pedro Nava recently introduced Assembly Bill 1960, meant to give the California Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) more authority over the maintenance of California-based oil companies. DOGGR will ensure that these companies meet the minimum operating standards and are accountable for abandoned wells and oil spills. The bill will also ensure that the state can plug abandoned wells and cover clean-up costs for oil spills.
The many oil spills and environmental violations by Greka Energy prompted Nava to introduce the bill. The Santa Barbara County-based Greka has spilled approximately 550,000 gallons of contaminated material in the last eight years, and about 243,000 since December 2007. The company has been fined and penalized more than $2.5 million, and has had almost 500 local, state, and federal violations.
On June 11, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger met with Nava, announcing his support for the bill. “I am very proud Governor Schwarzenegger is joining forces with me and statewide environmental organizations to better protect California and the environment from pollution,” said Nava in a press release. “This is a huge victory for the residents of Santa Barbara County, the environment and all Californians. I appreciate his full support.”
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Oil is a natural resource that comes from the ground. At first, producers ran crude down creekbeds to open crude pits. The pits stayed in use till about the 1960s. Talk about leaks. The evidence is still there in the creek beds. How did county survive this Mr Nava?
In fact...the Earth seeps (ie leaks) around 100 barrels everyday into what we lately call 'the environment'. Heck oil is part of the environment.
Not that we excuse poor oilfield practice. But not a soul has been injured, made sick, or even required a Band Aid. Cleanup was quick (and costly) every time.
If all this grandstanding and scaremongering is appropriate for Greka, what are we going to do about the obscene spillage by nature.
Should we cancel Earth Day Mr Nava?
nuffalready (anonymous profile)
June 16, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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