CA State Regulators Underestimate Fracking Ban Impact

June 21, 2021

Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) has repeatedly made unrealistic climate promises. His most recent is a complete fracking ban by 2024, just three years from now. Unfortunately, Gov. Newsom and state regulators have been misleading the public about how much California relies on fracking to generate its energy.

Newsom claims that fracking accounts for less than 2 percent of California’s oil production. In reality, the true figure is at least eight times higher. Newsom’s fuzzy math has groups on both sides upset.

Politico reports:

Oil and gas groups say the true figure is eight times higher, and environmentalists — squarely on the other side of the fossil fuel debate — agree that 2 percent is too low. Newsom is relying on a questionable statistic from his own oil regulator, and advocates wonder how the state can effectively address fracking if it doesn’t have a handle on how much is taking place.

It understates the economic importance of fracking and the number of jobs that are involved,” said Brad Williams, a former state analyst who now consults for the industry at Capitol Matrix Consulting. “It’s the difference between ‘no big deal’ and ‘big deal.’“

Accurate data and statistics are important when deciding whether or not to ban fracking. Assemblymember Rudy Salas, a Democrat who represents Bakersfield, CA has expressed concerns over the inaccurate date.

“We need to make sure that we’re using accurate data, that we are honest about the impacts that it’s going to have,” Salas said. “And if the data and the science is there to show that there’s going to be a bigger impact, then that needs to be reflected in whatever changes are coming, especially when it comes to thinking about those families that are going to be impacted. I know in Kern County, a lot of those families are heavily dependent on the energy industry.“

Fracking remains an important source of energy in California and provides many jobs. Reckless attempts to ban fracking in a couple of years would put California families out of work and would jeopardize the relatability and stability of the state’s already shaky energy infrastructure.