Attack of The Hubris
A short time ago, in the echoing halls of California's capitol building...
There was silence among the crowd. One by one they voted. A pleasant atmosphere filled the room. They would call this the strongest regulations in the nation. California would lead the way, yet again. Inside the hearts of many, however, there was doubt. Endless calls from constituents, uneasy feelings concerning the most recent amendments. Still, it was the best they could do wasn't it? It was this or nothing at all. An environmental bill with hardly any provisions for environmental safety -- but this was the only politically possible path they could take. Surely it was best to take what they could get and move on. Certainly it was most prudent to take the first step to solve this issue.
Environmentalists were clear from the start of the legislative session. The message was unequivocal. Anti-fracking activists longed for an outright ban, and all of the proposed moratorium bills would suffice for the time being. What we got, however, was a watered down regulation with a green light for a fracking expansion. "Despite the public’s desire for a fracking moratorium, our elected officials have yet to take action." 1
If SB 4 passed, many argued, it “would give politicians an excuse to let fracking continue.” 2 What would happen to a proposed moratorium bill in 2014 – during an ongoing study enacted by SB 4? Our elected officials will explain to us that 'we've already passed a fracking bill.' They will tell us that 'this is an issue that we are concerned about, and that's why we all voted for SB 4.' Our politicians will implore us to 'give science a chance' and to 'let the study give us a platform, from which we can assess the best step for California to take on this issue.' Hubris
The final votes were cast as the senators sat in anticipation. Soon, the papers would be writing raving reviews about our 'environmentally minded' Senator Pavley and how she helped California take a great step forward on this issue. Pavley would tout her achievement as the strictest regulations ever passed – a model for the nation. However, “any resulting regulations—sufficiently protective or not—are still more than a year off, during which time oil companies are free to frack with little oversight or accountability.” 1 And the regulations are not at all protective -- SB 4 "started off as a dangerously weak bill," says Zack Malitz from CREDO Action – a group that opposed the bill long before it was passed. He continues by saying that the passing of SB 4 "will only provide political cover to the industry and its allies, who will claim that fracking is safely regulated.” 5
Despite the bill's weakness from the start, “a number of environmental groups in the state supported the bill as it was initially passed in the Assembly." 5 After an onslaught of weakening amendments, however, the previously inadequate regulatory bill was effectively reduced to nothing. Any advantages the bill originally had were completely washed away, alongside the remaining environmental support. "The groups revoked that support after the version that the state Senate passed tacked on several provisions.” 5 The regulatory regime had become a skeleton if it's past self. Each paragraph was marked for approval by industry lobbyists; and each page was regrettably stained by the green washed delusions of SB 4's past supporters. The votes were tallied. The bill had passed.
The following day, Pavley's office announced that the "Senate voted 29-8 to protect the public and the environment from the risks of hydraulic fracturing.” (emphasis added) 3 According to the press release, “SB 4 would require permits for fracking, acidizing and other oil well stimulation practices... [It will] require notification of neighbors, public disclosure of all chemicals used, groundwater and air quality monitoring and an independent scientific study...” 3 So, measuring how badly effected the groundwater and the air are, as a result of Fracking, during a study that won't be completed sometime in 2015; this is somehow protecting the environment? I suppose 'protecting the public' is somehow sufficed by the permitting process, some form of notification to residents who will soon have fracking operations going on next door, and the public disclosure of chemical additives – most of which we already know from other studies; most of which are known human carcinogens; many are known cancer causing agents.
Pavley claims that “We need to account for the full cost of fracking and acidizing in California," and that "these regulations are an important first step." 3 But with most environmental groups now determined to ban this atrocity, SB 4 is nothing more than a red herring; one step forward and two steps back. “Worse than having no regulations, weak regulations provide political cover to legislators who could otherwise be pressured to vote for a moratorium.” 4
The audience at the capital delivered a standing ovation, congratulating the valiant author of the bill. They gravitated towards the senator's joyful expression and one by one they embraced her. "Congatulations," said one, "Wonderful work," said another. These mere minutes of galore and fame, however, would sputter away in a matter of days. People would soon be questioning the achievement. Did Pavley compromise the health of her constituents and the integrity of the environment due to some fear of "political impossibility," or was it all a rouse, a dog and pony show, a gift to the industry, for the sake of momentary adoration? The Anti-Fracking activists back at home were soon sighing in defeat as the utterly disappointing, news trickled in. Our work would be prolonged yet again. Our fruitless efforts to get a moratorium in 2013 would add another headline to the growing list of efforts made in vain. The room inside the capitol was silent once again. The resounding annoyance of political failure had finally echoed themselves into silence. The bill had passed. Tomorrow was another day. The attack of the hubris had only just begun.
Whoa. Deja Vu...
It is difficult to rationalize Fran's adoration for the watered down SB 4. Without any support from environmental groups, hardly anyone outside of Fran's office saw the passing of SB 4 as a substantive achievement. Senator Pavley assures us, “We’re trying to put regulations in place that will address public concerns.” 4 Really? Here's at tip for next time. When people have concerns, you don't study it while letting the concern persist, you fix the problem. When someone is concerned that daily Big Macs might be causing them to gain weight, they don't continue to eat at McDonald's and study themselves gaining more weight, they try to fix the problem by going on a diet. If someone addressed their McDonald's weight gain with the same approach as SB 4, they would end up ordering two Big Macs, instead of one, every single day for the next 14 months, assessing the weight gain while letting the original problem get worse. Eventually, using the same SB 4 logic, "fixing" the problem would mean putting limits on the big macs -- ordering happy meals every single day, instead of Big Macs. Bottom line: Ditch the fast food, stop fracking up the state, and cut the crap with the regulatory nonsense.
You would assume that by introducing a fracking bill, Fran would understand more about the safety of the fracking process. From all the independent studies that have been done throughout the nation already, you would think that we wouldn't need another study of our own in order to properly assess a regulatory approach. Although they tout it as some grand spectacle, SB 4 is really not that special. This isn't the first time we've seen fracking regulations get torn to shreds by industry lobbyists; and this isn't the first time that Senator Pavley has pushed for fracking regulations – this is deja vu all over again.
What did you just say?
Nothing. Just Had A Little Deja Vu
Last year, during the 2012 legislative session, Senator Pavley co-sponsored a fracking bill called AB 591. As Pavley described it then, “We would know where the wells are that are being fracked. We would know how much water is being used. They would also be required to report what chemicals are being used.” 6
This year, in a press release following the bill's passage, Pavley said that SB 4 “would require notification of neighbors, public disclosure of all chemicals used, groundwater and air quality monitoring” – including the amount of water being used. 3
This aim is identical to AB 591, and the provisions might as well have been copied and pasted.
SB 4 does, however, provide two key distinctions in contrast to the adolescent AB 591. First, SB 4 regulates other forms of well stimulation, including Acidization, in it's regulatory approach. Secondly, it has an online system that will aim to help the public learn more about the dangerous process that just received the green light to expand throughout the state. SB 4 is a carbon copy of AB 591... on acid... with an online database.
The end of the AB 591 story is pretty familiar as well. Brian Segee, an attorney for the Environmental Defense Center, said that AB 591 didn't go far enough. “It got badly watered down,” he said. “We are not supporting the bill.” 6 The doppelganger bill would eventually fail.
Following the defamation of SB 4, the LA Times said that “key regulatory elements of SB 4... have been so watered down as to be useless.” 7 Sounds pretty similar doesn't it? How did this effect the paper's position? “We previously endorsed the bill,” they said, however, “at this point, SB 4 is so flawed that it would be better to kill it and press for more serious legislation next year.” 7
This year, in her defense for SB 4, Pavley said: “We don’t know where we are fracking [these] wells. We don’t know what chemicals are being used. We don’t know how these fluids are being stored. We just don’t know.” 3 SB 4, she claims, is the first step in the right direction to “get it right” on the issue of fracking in this state; and we couldn't put an end to the practice because we just don't know if it can be done safely or not -- oh, and jobs, jobs, economy, jobs. Hubris...
Of course, the reason she had for co-sponsoring AB 591 was to “make sure we get it right.” Pavley explained last year that “We're not sure if there's any problems, but we better have the adequate information to make sure that it's transparent.” 6
The bills, the provisions, the watered down messes, the lack of environmental supporters, the persistent and despicable rhetoric, the “we don't know if it's safe or not” assertions, the lack of a moratorium, and the industry lobbying... Same shit, different session. Fracking is still dangerous and, apparently, Fran is still completely naive about the fracking process. The only other difference between these bills are the results. AB 591 failed miserably and as of now, SB 4 is the law of the land.
And This Is Where The Story Continues
June 7th, 2013 – Californians Uneasy About Fracking
Before the hubris infused legislative session, the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles Times released a poll, showing that “more than 70% of voters favor banning or heavily regulating chemical injections into the ground to tap oil and natural gas.” 14 That is a significant statistic to ponder in relation to the legislative end-result of SB 4. According to nearly all environmental groups and anti-fracking activists throughout the state, the bill that was ultimately passed was a weak fracking bill at best – while many of us concur with the many journalists who have labeled the bill a “pro-fracking” piece of legislation. In other words, what we passed was in direct contrast to 70% of Californians who wanted a ban, a moratorium, or heavy regulations on fracking in the state.
When it came down to the specific question of a moratorium, the poll found that “more than half of voters – 58% – say they favor a moratorium on the process – until an independent commission has studied its environmental effects.” 14
To continue our frack-filled journey to oil-rushed expansion during 2014 without a moratorium on fracking, goes against the interests of Governor Brown's constituents; it's a negligent risk to public health and it completely disregards the integrity of our already depleted ecosystems.
August 16th, 2013 – The Elected Few Who Spoke
Assemblyman Marc Levine & Supervisor Kate Sears wrote an op-ed to help explain the dangers of fracking. “Fracking threatens our environment, public health and safety, water supply and coastal waters,” 8 They go on to highlight a crucial component to the fracking debate; climate change. They write that fracking for oil and gas “undermines the strides made to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in the face of significant, perhaps catastrophic, climate change scenarios. Drilling and fracking for shale oil and gas, and producing, refining and burning shale oil and gas, results in substantial methane emissions, a far more lethal greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.” 8
They specifically point out the same resounding cry from the state's environmental base: “We believe it is time to adopt a statewide moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.” 8
“With the projected climate change scenarios and growing concerns with ocean acidification, it is imperative that we make every effort to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Keeping California's dirty shale oil below ground is one big step in that direction.” 8
Another brave Assemblymember that joined her constituents in demanding a moratorium on fracking was Holly Mitchell. Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) introduced a bill this year, AB 1323. Before failing in the legislative session, alongside the other two moratorium bills, AB 1323 called for a moratorium on fracking statewide. In addition, the bill would have mandated California’s Natural Resources and the Cal EPA to complete a study on the safety of fracking by January 2016. "The bill would have allowed fracking to resume if its safety could be demonstrated and regulations were put in place to keep it safe and ensure monitoring. Mitchell says that the issue was brought literally to her doorstep by a group of concerned residents that lived in proximity to the Inglewood Oil Field... Though community members, local officials, stakeholders, and environmentalists met to discuss solutions, the bill was eventually rejected.” 11
This is what Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell had to say about the concerns of fracking in her area:
“Those who didn’t support my bill quoted oil industry advocates who claimed no harm from fracking in California had been proven, that it would bring jobs and cleaner, cheaper fossil fuel and would move America toward energy independence.” 11
“More than one million residents – mostly people of color – live within five miles of those oil derricks. There are 55 schools, 60 churches and a community college nearby. My constituents are scared, and with good reason.” 11 Unfortunately, her pleas, as well as our own, have gone unabated, unanswered, and unacknowledged.
October 2nd, 2013 – Did California Democrats Just Pass A Pro-Fracking Bill?
The opposition that many environmental groups had to SB 4 was that, without a moratorium on fracking, the bill essentially “green-lighted” fracking developments during the entirety of 2014. Specifically, SB 4 mandates DOGGR (the Department Of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources) to approve all permits for oil and gas expansion – with the added provision that chemical names are released. Of course, as many journalists began to argue, the seemingly pro-fracking agenda bundled up within SB 4 was less of an environmentalist's illusion and more of an inconvenient truth. “SB4 could be viewed as a pro-fracking bill dressed up as an anti-fracking piece of legislation.” 13
“The Democratic state legislators pushed through SB 4 after it had been amended 10 times. Gov. Jerry Brown signed it into law. Although the bill contains some environmentalist provisions, generally it should promote fracking, which would lead to California jobs creation and higher tax revenues.” 13 Writes Wayne Lusvardi in the Cal Watch Dog article. “The California League of Conservation Voters and the National Resources Defense Council pulled their support of the bill at the last moment. The reason environmental organizations withdrew their initial support was that the provisions in the bill calling for a moratorium and compliance with California’s tough environmental laws were removed and neutered.” 13
The most unfortunate part of the bill's early environmental support was that it gave SB 4 the illusory misnomer that it was a strong anti-fracking bill. [Early supporters include: NRDC, California League of Conservation Voters, Clean Water Action, and EWG] Due to these organizations' early support of the bill, the bill entered the senate with misguided aesthetics. What seemed like an anti-fracking piece of legislation was, with all amendments considered, a deceptively pro-fracking bill that had been thoroughly stained by green appraisal. Wither or not the former organizational support had anything to do with the senate's approval of the bill remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the damage has been done, and the unfortunate green-washing has given way to an incredulous green-lighting of fracking throughout the state.
The organizational green washing that continues to corrode our environmental legislative efforts is troubling. First of all, it was troubling to see that merely one week from it's passing through the senate, these organizations literally sent out fundraising emails to help them lobby the senate to say "Yes on SB 4." Even when the Californians Against Fracking and their 100+ organizational members came out against the bill in August; even with the Sierra Club standing up against the same legislation; even with CBD, Food and Water Watch, Oil Change International, CREDO, still, they continued to support SB 4, and they continued to ask for money to help them pass SB 4. After doing this for months, it was nauseating to see the emails that followed, prior to Brown's signing of the bill. This time, these organizations sent out emails asking for donations in their efforts to "Tell Governor Brown to veto SB 4." Even when the four groups -- NRDC, CLCV, CWA, & EWG -- revoked their support at the last second, they remained defensive of their positions.
There have been several times in the past few months that i have grappled with one or two members of each of the aforementioned environmental groups. Each time, there is never an apology or a revelation that what they did to support it ultimately was "wrong" or "in error". They now say that they "feared that it would get gutted, and that they were then forced to revoke their support." As Lauren Steiner put it best, the notion that these environmental groups "feared this might happen, makes [their] stalwart support seem even more quixotic."
So, with the issue now put to rest, the genuine commitment to ban fracking in California is a commitment that these groups will now have to prove.
Considering their most recent efforts, Clean Water Action has joined the calls of the Californians Against Fracking coalition in demanding a ban on fracking and the NRDC seems to be making strides towards that common goal. Many of their members are starting to speak on the issue with far more veracity and far less compromise. To be fair to these two organizations, I respect many of their members for their environmental efforts. CWA is doing a lot at the moment to prove their commitment to the environment. The NRDC has done stellar work with refineries and crude-by-rail-projects in the bay area. Without their support, I think many would be lost in this effort -- at the very least, our progress against the tar sands would be hindered without them. And while i have my concerns about the national organization, I am a member of the NRDC SF Council and I must stress the fact that the general green washing that this group is well known for nationally does not apply to each regional chapter and it certainly does not envelope the entirety of their membership base.
In the end, I would rather see the entire environmental community come together as one coalition to serve our common causes. Right now, given the stakes of climate change, there is no room for finger pointing. As individuals and organizations, we have all made mistakes. My path to anti-fracking activism was similar to Robert Kennedy Jr.'s path; I was once a supporter of 'cleaner' natural gas as a stepping stone away from coal burning. With the naivety of that position now lost to the knowledge of the true costs of fracking, I am utterly opposed to natural gas exploration. If we can't do it safely while keeping it cleaner than coal, then there is no rational reason to consider it as part of the United State's energy mix. It's time to move forward; forgive and let be; stand together and get activated. Pointing fingers is a waste of energy we could spend fighting against fracking; pointing fingers is a waste of time -- time that we are running out of. One people, one goal; ban fracking now.
October 19, 2013 – The Global Frackdown II
In September 2012, the first ever Global Frackdown efforts brought together over 200 independent actions on over 20 different countries as communities organized together to challenge fracking. This year, the aim was to galvanize the global community once again with The Global Frackdown 2. The websites reads: “While the industry is working hard to protect its profits and drown out the worldwide demand for clean, renewable fuels, there is a tremendous movement afoot around the world to protect our global resources from fracking.” 16
The Global Frackdown aims to unite anti-fracking activists, organizations and concerned communities everywhere, to get together and form their own demonstrations in order “to send a message to elected officials in our communities and across the globe that we want a future powered by clean, renewable energy, not dirty, polluting fossil fuels.” 16 The site describes further that “as the oil and gas industry escalates its public relations offensive, it is critical that our elected officials hear the truth from their constituents.”
It was a day for education, community, and reaffirmation of our common cause to ban fracking worldwide. Moreover, it was a day for action and world-wide demonstration to let our leaders know that this issue won't be going away any time soon. “It’s time to expose the oil and gas industry’s desire to profit at the expense of our communities and our environment. It’s time to hold our elected officials accountable. It’s time for another Global Frackdown.” 16
November 15, 2013 – Protest Gov. Brown on Fracking
“We're taking every opportunity to let our Governor know we want a ban on fracking in CA.” 10 Says SanDiego350.org, “Governor Brown doesn't come to San Diego much, but when he does, we're letting him know we don't want fracking in our State!” 10 Peg Mitchell, in the video below, discusses the dangers of California crude and the pressure that environmental groups are putting on Governor Brown whenever the opportunity presents itself. (see video below – only 44 seconds long)
Even if fracking isn't coming to a town near you, you are still at risk to the potential fracking goldrush. As Peg Mitchell explains, even in places like San Diego (south of the fracking bonanza), people are still threatened by the potential fracking expansion in the Monterey Shale. In a September 26th interview, Mitchell explained that “Fracking requires a tremendous amount of water, water that we don't really have a lot of.” California is going through a mild drought that is expected to get far worse. When this is already an existing problem, then why expand an operation that will make the situation worse. “It takes 1 to 5 million gallons fer frack, per well, times thousands of wells, and we're already fighting over water right now before we even do that.” 9
The word is spreading to every county throughout California and, in general, most people are starting to understand more about the issue. The campaign to get a real movement started in California is hopefully on the precipice of being a reality. Right now, we are all agreeing on one common goal: to impose a moratorium on fracking right now. And for the people living in areas that are not necessarily within the vicinity of the industrial fracking expansion; they want to put an end to it too. Mitchell concluded her interview by saying that “what we ultimately need is a timeout until we understand the impacts.” 9
November 21, 2013 – Fracking is coming to California
The influx of new fracking interest in California is highly contingent on the vast shale reserves that lie below our agricultural valley roots – the Monterey Shale alone contains nearly two thirds of the nations recoverable oil. Besides being one the world's largest distributors of agricultural resources, California has been a very reliable producer of conventional oil for years. Due to recent declines in oil field production, however, California has begun to entertain more unconventional extraction techniques due to the advances in industry technology. “California’s lawmakers have ensured the state will remain a major oil and gas producer by approving new legislation allowing hydraulic fracturing and acid treatments to rejuvenate its aging wells.” 15
“While other major oil-producing states, such as Texas, North Dakota and Oklahoma, have embraced fracking as a way to bring new life to aging oil areas, fear of the environmental risks and political fallout has caused California to hesitate.” 15
The environmental risks were somehow overlooked in this year's legislative session. Our once bold, environmental champion of a governor, is now breaking down the barriers to allow fracking to expand across the state. Until recently, the environmental concerns of fracking have kept the unconventional exploration limited to an extent. But now, “the passage of Senate Bill 4 suggests the logjam is about to break.” 15 So, instead of leading the nation into an environmentally sound energy future, Governor Brown and our politicians in Sacramento are “opening up a new frontier in shale production.” 15 Hubris...
A Fracking Carol
My Christmas Rendition For Governor Scrooge
The Ghost of Campaigns Past – Climate Leaders Don't Frack
The First of the Three Spirits
The voice was soft and gentle. Singularly low, as if instead of being so close beside him, it were at a distance.
"Who, and what are you?" Scrooge demanded.
"I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."
~ A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens 18
November 21st, 2013
Former advisers to Governor Brown came together in a letter to request a fracking moratorium in California. “The top signer was Brown's former economic advisor Michael Kieschnick, CEO of Credo, a wireless phone company that funds progressive non-profits. Wendy Wendlandt, who staffed Brown's 1992 presidential campaign, and advisors from his earlier runs for president and U.S. Senate also signed the letter.” 17
His former advisors called on Governor Brown to essentially stay true to his word on climate action. As many activists and organizations have done since Brown signed SB 4 into law, his advisors were letting him know that his pro-fracking position is not compatible with his climate action agenda. "We’re asking you to back up your statement that we should 'give science a chance' before allowing fracking in California by declaring a moratorium on fracking in our state," they wrote. 17
In the letter, they called on Brown to fulfill his promise to act on climate change by recognizing the climate exasperating effects of a California Oil boom. In order to prudently respond to the threat of climate change, they explain, Governor Brown must put a moratorium on fracking now. From all of the science on the issue, and from Brown's own declaration to respond to the current climate catastrophe that we as a nation face, his past advisers implore him to put a moratorium on fracking until more is known.
Here are a few exerts from the original letter they sent to him :
“You recently said that climate change is the “greatest existential challenge” we face today. You know as well as anyone that in our efforts to confront climate change we simply cannot afford to fail or delay."
“We need an immediate moratorium on fracking until independent scientific studies – including, but not limited to, the Environmental Impact Review (EIR) mandated by SB 4 – demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that fracking for shale oil in California can be done without accelerating climate change, poisoning our water, polluting our air, threatening the industries that make our state unique, or otherwise endangering Californians.”
“We know it’s possible to power our economy entirely with clean energy. We need to put every bit of brainpower and the machinery of the state of California to work on getting us to that goal. If we take our eyes off that prize, we will fail.” 17
“We know that taking on the oil industry in a state that already faces its fair share of difficult problems won’t be easy. But we also know that you are one of those rare leaders who is willing to take on the most difficult and urgent challenges, even when it’s politically inconvenient to do so. In fact, that’s why we worked so hard to elect you and help you govern.” 17
Hoping that Brown would take their message to heart, the pleas of his former advisors was yet another echoing call in Brown's pandoras box of climate hypocrisy. “How Brown reconciles his stance on climate with his support for fracking has been the question environmentalists have challenged him to answer in recent months. The contrast was on full display at the signing of another new climate pact. Inside the ceremony, Brown proclaimed global warming "the world's greatest existential challenge." On the street outside, anti-fracking protestors chanted, "Climate leaders don't frack!"” 21
The Ghost Of Scientific Present – Stop Fracking Up The Climate
The Second of the Three Spirits
Scrooge entered timidly, and hung his head before this Spirit.
"I am the Ghost of Christmas Present," said the Spirit. "Look upon me."
~ A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens 20
November 12th, 2013
“Twenty of the nation's top climate scientists have sent a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown, telling him that his plans supporting increased use of the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," will increase pollution and run counter to his efforts to cut California's global warming emissions... The letter is the latest example of the increased pressure that environmentalists and others concerned about climate change have been putting on Brown in recent months. Their argument: The governor can't say he wants to reduce global warming while expanding fossil fuel development in California.” 19
Not to be outdone, the industry balked back, criticizing the scientists' letter. "The authors of this letter, while clearly very respected in their fields, do not present an accurate or realistic picture of our energy needs and our energy future," Hubris... said Tupper Hull, a spokesman for the Western States Petroleum Association in Sacramento.” 19 Of course, it is worth mentioning that the WSPA is very prominent in the world of climate science denial (and most of science for that matter). If you ask any WSPA member if they personally believe in anthropogenic (human caused) climate change – either they will say “I'm not a scientist, so I can't really say” or they will ask you “What does anthropogenic mean?” – They have a few bright cookies in there, but most WSPA members have the IQ of a pet rock – and most of them probably still have a pet rock.
Some of the nations most prestigious climate scientists signed the letter. The letter itself explained one of the largest concerns of the fracking boom – methane leakage. The letter was signed by many “prominent climate scientists, including James Hansen, the former head of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies; Richard Houghton, acting president of Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts; and physicist Michael Mann, a professor of meteorology at Penn State University. The letter called for Brown to place a moratorium on fracking.” 19
"Shale gas and tight oil development is likely to worsen climate disruption, which would harm California's efforts to be a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said the letter. 19
California's efforts to be a leader on climate change legislation is fronted by many clean energy initiatives including AB 32 – a plan to reduce emissions statewide, laws for lower fuel emissions standards, and a Renewable Portfolio Standard for all new energy production. Some of these programs have brought success to the green energy economy currently taking root in California.
This head-first dive into unconventional well-stimulation techniques makes these aforementioned green initiatives effectively mute when one considers the carbon bomb that such expansion will inevitably develop.
Soon after the letter had been received, the Brown Administration quickly responded to the letter in a statement: "As the scientists note, California has among the strongest set of policies to combat climate change in the nation. These efforts are driven by sound science and so too will the new hydraulic fracturing regulations." 19 Hubris...
The Ghost of Generations Lost – We Demand A Fracking Moratorium
The Last of the Spirits
"You are about to show me shadows of the things that have not happened, but will happen in the time before us," Scrooge pursued. "Is that so, Spirit?"
The upper portion of the garment was contracted for an instant in its folds, as if the Spirit had inclined its head. That was the only answer he received.
~A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens 22
The potential near future of California...
Welcome To The Land Of Frack-As-You-Please
From day one, the oil and gas companies will be free to roam around the state, playing their billion dollar version of Vegas Craps; with fracking rigs instead of dice; with people’s lives instead of chips. It'll be a sprint between oil and gas competitors as they maximize their profits while tapping into some of the most geologically contorted shale formations in the world.
A game of craps with fracking rigs sounds exciting, i know, but believe me, this ain’t your typical Vegas vacation. Many people have told me that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas; but in the world of Frack-As-You-Please, what happens in Gasland doesn't stay in Gasland. Instead, this reckless gambling taking place on California soil will desecrate communities and ecosystems. Fracking will leave behind memories that will haunt you and I for a lifetime. And it isn’t a matter of “if” --- it is only a matter of “when” the Fracking obsession in California will inadvertently contaminate our aquifers, sicken nearby communities, ruin the quality of our air, cause our earth to rumble, or poison our farm animals, our pets, and someone in your own family.
We are going to allow frackers to puncture holes up and down the state as they attempt to tap into formations that contain crude oils that are more corrosive and destructive than Alberta Tar Sands oil. They call the Keystone XL Pipeline "game over for the climate." But here in California, we are set to release another Carbon Bomb; something I like to call "KXL 2.O" in order to quantify the impending fracking boom. SB 4 does nothing to halt this Fracking gold-rush. In fact, it "green-lights" Fracking during a year and half long study. And the so-called "regulatory oversight" will do nothing more than "normalize" the unconventional resource extraction about to take place. We NEED a moratorium on Fracking. And we need it now.
Begin Sarcasm...
Ladies and gentlemen of the golden state, thank you for joining me this evening. I have some wonderful news to share with all of you. First off, how many of you are totally stoked for SB 4's new regulations on Fracking?
I'm sure folks will be thrilled to discover that most of the frackable oil and gas shale formations in California are conveniently connected by the lovely formation known as the San Andreas fault line. As the geological maps show, this wonderful scenario is like a giant dot-to-dot, just like the ones from elementary school---with shale formations instead of dots and a seismically active fault-line connecting them, rather than the typical lines of crayon. Don't you worry, we're only a hundred years over-due for a major earthquake. What could possibly go wrong with oil and gas shale development in these formations?
Audience Member : I hear that Fracking can cause Earthquakes. I'm concerned.
Well now, here's the reason why you shouldn’t worry about these other "reports" : All of these reported "seismic activities" that have been directly linked to fracking and waste-water injection, they have all occurred in seismically inactive regions across the nation. And here in California, we are very seismically active. See?
With each new fracking well injection the frackers permit, they will drain about 5 million gallons of fresh water from our already depleted California water resources. From there, they will present you and your family with a roulette wheel of disastrous potential outcomes, and a free cocktail of carcinogenic chemicals, every time a new well gets fracked.
Audience Member : If Frackers can’t even prepare water from the faucet properly, then I wouldn’t necessarily trust that chemical cocktail…
But then again, you only live once, right? Give the Frackers a chance? I say "yolo!"
After all, they care about you and your community; so long as the nearby oil and gas development remains profitable. When your water starts spewing out methane infused water that you can all of a sudden light on fire (awesome, I know); just remember, that’s natural methane that the oil and gas companies are not responsible for even though it happened after they started Fracking.
Don’t worry, the fun doesn’t stop there!
Each time you spin the Fracking Industry’s Roulette Wheel of Federally Exempt disaster, you could win your very own earthquake (magnitudes may vary]) or even some groundwater contamination (many varieties to choose from). If you live in the northern part of the state, you could win a free (that’s right, FREE!) flammable faucet, maybe a flamethrowing hose, or even a flowing shower of fire!
Audience member : But I don't live in Northern California...
If you live in Southern California, don’t feel left out; you get a special supply of Hydrochloric and Hydrofluoric acid debris to mix into your air. You also have a chance at some other great prizes; like some obnoxiously strange noises that never seem to stop; or a large chemical/wastewater spill in front of your house; or even some wastewater/produced water runoff into a nearby lake that you and your kids swim in. (Yay! Fun!)
Every other day, on average, you and your neighborhood could be the lucky recipients of your very own river of oil. This daily special comes with your very own 'No Fly Zone' (brought to you by Exxon). Even if you miss out on all the wonderful disasters that Fracking has to offer, there are a few bonuses that everyone get’s to enjoy. You and your communities get to inhale all sorts of particulate byproducts produced by the wonderful Fracking process---Better than all that boring air! Right?
You see? Everyone wins from local fracking operations.
Audience member : Wait, so that can seriously happen to us?
I know that all of this sounds a little bit crazy and some of these prizes are just too frackin' good to be true, but thanks to good 'ol Governor Brown, all these corrosive and destructive side-effects of hydraulic fracturing are yours free! And the best part, your consent is not even required.
Audience member : Wait, so they are going to do this without our approval?
They saved you the trouble of all that thinking and they went ahead and approved it on your behalf. In fact, when Fracking comes to your town, it’ll probably stay hidden from you and your community as long as humanly possible.
Audience member : Wait, They are going to do secret things? That's freaky.
Don’t fear the secrecy though; Think of it like a big surprise. Just imagine how excited you’ll be when these detrimental effects pop up in a town near you. (Oh, Boy!)
Audience member : Wow... Sounds terrible... Thanks for nothing.
Oh! Please, don't thank me, Thank Jerry Brown. What a Fracking wonderful legacy to leave behind. Bravo. -- Clap, Clap, Clap -- Hubris...
My Sarcastic Conclusion
Wasting our fresh water and killing the environment has never been so profitable in California --- until now. That's the magic of SB 4. Oh, how could we forget to talk about the author of this wonderful piece of crap legislation? Thank you Fran Pavley. You really helped California green-light oil and gas development throughout the state. This is just what we needed to do to step up our efforts to address climate change! Now we can really live up to the emission reduction goals in AB 32. Even though much of California’s Oil is in fact the most carbon intensive sour crude in the entire world, I’m sure you have this whole thing figured out. Either way, I think Californian’s will gladly choose ignorance in this case. We’ll trust our climate-fighting duo to put in the right policies to protect our health and environment.
Jerry Brown and Fran Pavley, you are Environmental Heroes. Thank you oh so very much for compromising the safety of our planet, the health of our communities, and the vitality of our ecosystems so that we can really figure out what’s going on with all this fracking stuff. Now we can double-check the studies from all over the nation and see just how toxic, harmful and deadly this process really is. And lucky for us, there will be no moratorium in effect during the study; we’ll be the guinea pigs of the fracking experiment and we’ll poison our aquifers at the same time. That’s just Fracking wonderful.
Welcome, everyone, to Gasland, California.
End Sarcasm...
"Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead," said Scrooge. "But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me."
Only time will tell if Governor Brown will have the courage to change our fates for the better. My hope for this Christmas is that he can find that courage and that he can rise above the industry influence and be the leader we elected him to be. All I want for Christmas is a fracking moratorium... and just in case that doesn't come true this holiday season, I have the rest of next year to help make that a reality. My new years resolution is to put a moratorium on fracking in California by any means necessary.
Merry Christmas!
As Michael Brune and Katheryn Phillips best put it, “By investing our energy and human capital in more oil extraction, we give up opportunities to provide future generations with clean air, clean water and a shot at inheriting a world not devastated by climate change.” 12
Let's not waste anymore opportunities. We can defeat this hubris nonsense. Those who have the power to know have the duty to act and we are running out of opportunities to prevent a world beyond two degrees Celsius. Make it your resolution this coming year to act on the issue of climate change. Remember, to see the change, you also have to be the change. Let's fix this.
To Be Continued... ... ...
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