A $78,517 donation from Pacific Coast Energy Company — which operates 96 cyclic steaming wells near Orcutt and has applied for 96 more — has put the “No on Measure P” campaign in the fundraising lead over the “Yes” camp, which has raised $44,876. If voters okay Measure P in November, all new cyclic-steaming, acidizing, and fracking projects would be banned. Supporters of the initiative include the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party and Santa Barbara City Councilmembers Cathy Murillo, Bendy White, and Gregg Hart. Opponents include the county’s Deputy Sheriff’s Association and firefighters union, plus Santa Barbara City Councilmembers Frank Hotchkiss and Dale Francisco.
