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Remember, a little over a year ago, when the State of California proposed new fracking regulations? Remember how they do not regulate air pollution associated with fracking? Well they are currently in the public comment period and we want to make sure Governor Jerry Brown hears our concerns about the air pollution associated with fracking.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014: GCM staff traveled to California’s Central Valley to unite with the residents living on the front lines of the fracking boom, to express concerns regarding the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources’ (DOGGR) proposed regulations at a public hearing held at the Kern County Administrative Building. What a trip!!
Residents traveled from all over the Central Valley, showed up early with signs and anti-fracking chants. We staged a rally out front and cheered as motorists honked in support. Then, one by one, we filed in and filled out our cards to make public comment. Everyone could agree that these proposed regulations were not going to protect the health and safety of Valley residents from the potential pollution associated with fracking.
Governor Brown’s new fracking regulations are flawed, especially related to air pollution by:
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a lack of air monitoring;
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inadequate control of emissions from fracking and related production operations;
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a lack of regulation on flares.
Back in December, GCM Staff connected with concerned residents in Shafter, CA where there is nearly constant flaring going on at a fracking site. The flare is just upwind of a school and community garden, where residents have reported acute health effects, like burning eyes and sore throats.
Central Valley residents, active with the Bucket Brigade, were able to collect an air sample, near this site, in Shafter.
The results show a presence of five different chemicals, known to be associated with fracking operations as well as increased levels of methane, also common near fracking sites.
The level of acrylonitrile detected at this location, 5.9 µg/m3, is 590 times the reference level set by the US EPA, to be associated with an increased risk of cancer for a lifetime of exposure. Additionally, it also exceeds the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) chronic reference exposure level, and could pose an increased risk for negative health effects on the respiratory system.
The sample results also detected a mix of toxic chemicals, including styrene, chlorobenzene, toluene and ethanol, as well as a methane level of 2.7 ppm, which is higher than normal background levels, indicating that this sample location may be impacted by localized emissions of methane.
Considering that California’s Central Valley has some of the worst air quality in the Country, air pollution from fracking could serve to overburden residents living in the Central Valley. Especially among vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women, seniors and those with already compromised immune systems.
Residents of the Central Valley, and all other parts of California, deserve clean air not fracking wells. Not able to express your concerns at a public hearing? No problem. Comments can be submitted online. Take action for clean air and let Governor Brown know that you oppose fracking in California!
Air Hugger 