P Is for Pickle

Measure P is not what it seems. Supporters of this measure want us all to think that it’s a ban on hydraulic fracturing. That is not what it is. Let’s be clear, there are no wells in the county that are being hydraulically fractured, nor are there plans for any in the future, according to a county report.

This measure bans all the safe and common practices in oil and gas production that have been utilized in our county for over 100 years. If this initiative passes, it would shut down about 90 percent of all oil and gas production in Santa Barbara County within five years. Thousands of men and women would be unemployed and serious negative impacts will be felt throughout the county.

California has some of the most stringent environmental regulations in the world. Seeing as we all rely on cars to get around, we are still heavily dependent on oil. So why shouldn’t we work to reduce our dependence on foreign oil? We can do it right here in our own county where we know it’s safe. We should continue making steps to be more energy independent.

Don’t be deceived by Measure P. I urge you to vote NO.