Alameda Fracking Ban Hearing

A comprehensive proposal—not simply to prohibit fracking, but all additional oil and gas extraction—is up for approval by the Alameda County Planning Commission.  Under the current East County Area Plan and the Alameda County Zoning Ordinance, conditional use permits can be granted for oil and gas operations.  Under the proposed changes to the zoning regulations, such conditional use permits would no longer be available, effectively preventing the expansion of oil extraction in Alameda County.

Opposition includes E & B Natural Resources, operator of wells in East Alameda County, which objects to any limitation on its current operations, and Californians for Energy Independence, a petroleum industry front group, which argues that the County should defer to the State of California in these matters, despite—or because of—the many failures of state agencies to adequately regulate oil producers.

Because we expect opposition to come out in force, we need to pack the auditorium with our own folks, pumped up (you should pardon the expression) and ready to testify, or to hold signs during the hearing.

Will Alameda join Santa Cruz, Mendocino, San Benito and Butte counties in saying no pasaran to the oil industry?  Passage of this proposal by the Planning Commission is the last hurdle before the Board of Supervisors makes the final decision.  Come join this historic effort!

Need a ride?  Contact bstebbins14@gmail.com.