Fran Pavley

The California State Senate voted 27-11 Wednesday to regulate hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.”

The Senate approved SB 4 by Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, which would require public noticing before fracking can take place, permits, disclosure of chemicals and an independent scientific study of fracking and its risks to California, among other provisions.

“I am pleased my colleagues want to hold oil well operators accountable and answer critical questions about groundwater quality, water supply, earthquakes and air quality,” Pavley said. “We must protect California from risks to our economy, public health and safety and environment.”

Fracking is the injection of water, chemicals and sand deep underground to crack rock formations and free up oil and gas.  In California, the target is mostly oil.  Fracking has opened new areas to potential extraction but also raised questions about impacts on groundwater quality, local water supplies and seismic activity.

California has thus far lagged behind states such as Texas and Wyoming in its failure to monitor or regulate fracking within its borders. The oil industry has argued that fracking has occurred in California for decades without incident, but few records exist that could verify or refute such a claim.

Sen. Pavley’s bill would usher in a new era of accountability and transparency, providing critical data that would enable California to adjust its policies in the future, if necessary.

Pavley represents California’s 27th Senate District, which includes about half of the Santa Clarita Valley.