Press Release
September 24, 2020
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Senator Wiener and Assemblymembers Limón and Robert Rivas Announce They Will Introduce Fracking Ban in December
Sacramento – Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymembers Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) and Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) announced today that they will be introducing a ban on fracking come December, when the next legislative session starts. This announcement follows Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order introduced yesterday, which set a goal to phase out fracking permits by 2024. The Governor has invited legislative efforts to accomplish this.
Fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing, is a method of fossil fuel extraction that is dangerous for the environment and contributes to climate change. Fracking pollutes our water sources and the air, and can even cause earthquakes.
More details about this legislation to ban fracking will be announced in the coming months.
“We are literally killing the planet with carbon emissions, and burning fossil fuel is at the heart of the problem,” said Senator Scott Wiener. “We must end our reliance on all forms of fossil fuel, and California must lead the way. California being one of the largest oil producers is inconsistent with being a climate leader. It’s time to begin the phase-out of California’s oil production. Let’s start with banning fracking, which is environmentally destructive, carbon-intensive, and inconsistent with respect for the land. I want to thank the Governor for stepping out on this issue, and I look forward to working with him to get this legislation passed and signed into law. I look forward to partnering with Assemblymembers Rob Rivas and Monique Limon to put this legislation on the Governor’s desk.”
“Fracking is one of the most toxic and environmentally damaging forms of fossil fuel extraction,” said Assemblymember Robert Rivas. “As a county supervisor, I helped pass one of the first local bans on fracking in the country, and I believe a statewide ban is long overdue. If we’re going to solve our climate crisis, we cannot afford to kick the can down the road on this critical issue.”
“For years, science has shown that fracking can have serious environmental and community health consequences—this form of oil production impacts water supply, air quality, and seismic activity,” said Assemblymember Monique Limón. “Many California communities rely on scant water resources, and with climate change causing frequent droughts, those resources will become scarce. This bill will continue robust policy conversations on fossil fuels and alternative energy production that have been going on for decades. There is support from the Governor and the people of California, and as this bill moves forward, we must consider all costs, including health and safety costs to consumers, workers, and communities that have been most impacted. I applaud the recent actions by the Governor and stand ready to work with him on the next phase to support our environment.”
San Diego City Council Member Chris Ward also announced he supports this legislation:
“Californians are facing the life-threatening consequences of climate change and we have to take immediate action to reverse this trend. Banning fracking, and eliminating its devastating effects on health and the natural environment, is a long-overdue piece to shifting our energy away from harmful fossil fuels. Our coastline is already experiencing flooding and erosion, and fires in San Diego and around the state are worsening. San Diegans have been leading the shift to EV and green energy, and are ready for steps like banning fracking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Additionally, key environmental and environmental justice groups – Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment, the Sierra Club California and the California Environmental Voters – are supportive of the measure:
“Vulnerable communities are reeling not only from multiple climate and economic crises, but also from the serious health effects from living near dangerous oil and gas extraction,” said Ingrid Brostrom, Assistant Director of the center on Race, Poverty & the Environment. “We need to act quickly and decisively. A ban on fracking isn’t going to solve our climate or health crisis, but it is a step in the right direction. We applaud Senator Weiner for taking on this important piece of legislation.”
“Fracking must end. Period,” said Kathryn Phillips, the Director of Sierra Club California. “The proposed legislation and the governor’s statement yesterday should make it clear to frackers and other fossil fuel producers that the jig is up. The time has come to protect Californians and California from oil and gas pollution.”
“Oil and gas extraction is fueling our climate crisis, end of story,” said Mary Creasman, the CEO of the California Environmental Voters. “Any serious climate strategy has to include banning fracking, and we are ready to fight to make this a reality. Californians have suffered too much already, and future catastrophe is avoidable if we take the hard steps now to change how we are powering our lives. We applaud these legislators for not kicking the can down the road any longer, the time to act is now.”
ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
