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A state appeals court has upheld a lower court’s ruling against oil-drilling company Excelaron.
On July 24, the Second Appellate District court issued its ruling that will uphold the denial of Excelaron’s proposed drilling operation on the Mankins Ranch in the Huasna Valley.
In the 16-page ruling, the court determined that Excelaron failed to file its case in time. After San Luis Obispo County supervisors denied the project in mid 2012, Excelaron filed a case seeking about $6.24 billion in damages.
Excelaron argued that the county misled the company, which resulted in a legal filing that missed the deadline. Though the company filed its case 90 days after the decision, it didn’t serve the county until 129 days after the decision was made final.
County Counsel Rita Neal said in a written response, “We are quite pleased with the Court of Appeal decision.”
In its decision, the appellate court wrote that the county “shall recover its cost on appeal.”
“We are in the process of determining the amount of costs,” Neal said. “… To the extent that our costs are significant, we will submit a cost bill to recover them.”
Excelaron attorney Sophie Treder hadn’t responded to an email request for comment as of press time.
If approved, the project would have included as many as 12 wells on the ranch, located in rural Arroyo Grande.