Press Release
October 21, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Annette Majerowicz, 847-977-4434, [email protected]
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, California Environmental Voters responded to a new proposed rule from Governor Newsom that addresses the proximity of oil drilling near where Californians live and go to school. The draft rule would create a 3,200 foot buffer zone between oil drilling sites and homes and schools – the largest such setback in the nation. The draft rule promises to set into motion a directive made by Governor Newsom almost two years ago to take action on the issue of neighborhood oil and gas extraction.
Statement from Mike Young, Political and Organizing Director, California Environmental Voters:
“We applaud Governor Newsom for proposing a draft rule that will create a buffer zone between oil drilling sites and homes and schools. He is showing how California can lead the way by pushing for the largest setback in the country. This is a precedent setting moment!
Californians in frontline communities and environmental justice organizations have been pushing for this for years and we celebrate their accomplishment and recognize the hard work that led to this point.
We also recognize the leadership of legislators like Assemblymember Muratsuchi and State Senator Wiener who proposed legislation to address this issue in 2019 and 2020. They laid the groundwork for this draft rule.
Now, we must turn our attention to the public comment period for this draft rule, which begins immediately. We must stand together to push for a final strong rule that will phase out neighborhood drilling.”
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.
