In a continuing battle against the interests of “big oil,” the Carson Coalition on Tuesday met before the city Planning Commission to chart exactly what methods they may take to prevent further oil exploration and well stimulation from taking place within the community.
The Carson Coalition, a grass roots organization that serves as a watchdog over “quality of life” issues in the city, was among the organizations present at the meeting. Also present was Food & Water Watch, which has for the past few years been an advocate of curtailing and/or eliminating further oil exploration within Los Angeles County.
Apparently, Carson officials have been somewhat swayed by the efforts of the Carson Coalition and is now attempting to update its oil and gas code to ban fracking, acidizing and other well-stimulation techniques, and also to restrict some neighborhood drilling practices. But while the update is said to reflect the sentiments of the community and advocates, organizers from various community groups contend the current draft resolution to amend the drilling codes lack the necessary “teeth” to protect Carson residents effectively from alleged dangerous industrial practices. Residents want the Planning Commission to recommend permanent protections for Carson.
“The oil companies are back in Carson because it is now profitable to drill for oil,” said Dianne Thomas of the Carson Coalition. She has resided in the community for 43 years and says she has seen the result of the toxic pollutants which once ravaged the community. “There are certain mineral rights within Carson, and the oil companies want them back. That’s fine. That’s their right. But they do not have the authority to impinge on homeowner rights. We want to place every road block available in front of the oil interests to maintain our quality of life here. That includes an ordinance preventing any new exploration and well stimulation.”
Thomas explained that her group has prevailed over California Resources Corp. (formerly Occidental Petroleum), a victory which has resulted in no current oil exploration within the city. But that’s not enough, she said, because the oil industry continues to lobby city hall, the county as well as Sacramento for permission to resume oil exploration.
“We have countered the oil companies through a collaborative effort,” Thomas explained. “Several lawyers representing the oil companies were present and we imagine they’ll continue trying to influence the city council. The fight is far from over.”
