Senator Fran Pavley’s bill – SB 4 – informs you if fracking is being done in your area and what chemicals are being used and much more.  The California Assembly will likely vote on her bill this week, and the oil and gas industry is spending big bucks to make sure it gets defeated.

The bill would require that these industries notify residents of drilling plans ahead of time and disclose the chemicals being used.  It is groundbreaking environmental health and right-to-know legislation. Your assembly member needs to hear from you today that you want SB 4 passed.

This legislation would require disclosure of all chemicals and water used in fracking for oil and gas and also require that adjacent property owners and tenants be notified of impending drilling.  It would allow for water quality monitoring ahead of drilling and require a plan for wastewater disposal.  It will go farther than any other law or regulation in the country in that the public will be able to see a list of the chemicals used even if a drilling company claims it’s a trade secret.  It’s a comprehensive disclosure bill that is essential to protect California’s public health and environment.

Urge your California State representative to support Senate Bill 4.  This is the only remaining bill in this session that addresses fracking, and it is essential that it get to the governor’s desk for his signature.

• SB 4 will require that that ALL forms of oil and gas well stimulation be regulated, not just fracking.  The state Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources has chosen to ignore both fracking and the use of acid to stimulate oil and gas production, and this legislation will put an end to that.
• SB 4 will require a permit for any form of well stimulation used today or that might be invented in the future, require disclosure of all chemicals and water amounts used, and require that adjacent property owners and tenants be notified of impending drilling.  It will allow for water quality monitoring before and after drilling and require a plan for wastewater disposal.  It will go farther than any other law or regulation in the country in that the public will be able to see a list of the chemicals used even if a trade secret is claimed.
• SB 4 is a comprehensive disclosure bill that is essential to protect California’s public health and environment.

Please note that this bill does not stop or prohibit fracking or drilling for oil and gas in California.  It is intended to inform the public and safeguard public health and safety that such industries have abused in the past.  I think that whether you are for or against such activities you would like to be informed about what is going on if drilling occurs near where you and your family live.

Credit: This information was obtained from the Environmental Working Group (EVG).