The Board of Supervisors is set to intervene in the permitting process for longstanding and safe energy operations, adding unnecessary red tape and killing local jobs.
Policies in the Ventura County General Plan update will lead to increased oil imports, driving carbon emissions far higher than what would occur under local production.
Unnecessary regulatory changes would force ongoing, safe oil production operations to re-apply for existing permits in front of the Board of Supervisors, increasing costs, discouraging investments, and killing good-paying jobs.
The statewide setbacks bill would cost California $4 billion in lost revenue, expose the state to expensive legal liabilities, and undercut health and safety regulations being established by experts at CalGEM.
As COVID-19 adds to the negative outlook for the region, Ventura County hasn’t backed away from policies aiming to harm an industry providing good-paying jobs and millions in tax revenues.
As COVID-19 interrupts critical global supply chains, California must recognize heavy dependence on foreign oil puts its people and businesses at risk.
As activists clamor for an expansion of oil and gas setback regulations statewide, they ignore government studies that disprove their false narratives on health impacts.
On the brink of recession with record low growth and tens of thousands leaving the region, now is not the time for Ventura County to hurt an industry supplying good-paying jobs and millions in tax revenues.