The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will make a final decision this fall on a 3-year-old request to exempt an Arroyo Grande aquifer from drinking water protections, agency officials told locals at a recent town hall meeting in the SLO Vets’ Hall.
SLO County residents, environmental activists, and oil industry members packed the Vets’ Hall on Aug. 23 to hear an update from the EPA—arranged by U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara)—on the status of Sentinel Peak Resources’ application to expand the area in which it injects oil wastewater. Approval would clear the regulatory path for the firm to move forward on a planned expansion of the Price Canyon Oilfield in Arroyo Grande.
But the EPA isn’t the only obstacle standing in Sentinel Peak’s way. County residents will also vote on Measure G in November, which, if passed, would place a moratorium on new oil drilling and fracking. Supporters of Measure G (and opponents of the aquifer exemption) held a rally outside the hall before the meeting, holding signs that read, “Yes on G,” “Protect People Not Polluters,” and “Water = Life.”
“That’s our future source of drinking water and we must protect it,” one speaker at the rally said.
Countering those attendees stood people in support of the oilfield and the aquifer exemption, wearing shirts that said “I love SLO jobs.”
At the town hall, EPA officials explained the timeline of the aquifer exemption application, which was originally filed by the oilfield’s previous operator in 2015, later approved by the state, and currently under review by the EPA. Officials emphasized the criteria for their decision—whether the aquifer is a current, or a possible future, source of drinking water. The agency will not consider outside environmental factors like seismic activity or climate change in their decision, officials said.
Advocates from both local camps then got a chance to ask the EPA reps questions. The responses were by and large terse and by the book—which is about what Natalie Risner, a resident within 2,000 feet of the oilfield, expected.
“I didn’t expect to get any answers, really,” Risner told New Times. “I appreciated our congressman asking them to come. We’re concerned, we’re people, and we’re living there. Don’t just write us off. I feel like we’re owed that.” ∆
This article appears in Sep 6-16, 2018.
YES on G has the endorsement of many in our community, add your name or business at: http://protectslo.nationbuilder.com/endors…
ORGANIZATIONS
350.org Action
Atascadero Democratic Club
Bend the Arc SLO
Center for Biological Diversity
Christian Jones, President, Environmental Concerns Organization
Climate Hawks Vote
Courage Campaign
Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families
Earth Ethics, Inc.
EcoLogistics, San Luis Obispo
Emily Roberson, Director, Native Plant Conservation Campaign
Endangered Species Coalition
Environment in the Public Interest
Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo (ECOSLO)
Food and Water Watch
Fossil Free Macalester
NC WARN
Oil Change International
Paso Robles Democratic Club
Physicians for Social Responsibility Philadelphia
Power Shift Network
Progressive Democrats of America
San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace
The San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party (SLOCDP) & the California Democratic Party (official endorsement)
Sierra Club Santa Lucia Chapter
SLO Climate Coalition Task Force
SLO Progressives
Southern Oregon Climate Action Now
Sprout Up SLO
The Surfrider Foundation
Womens March San Luis Obispo
BUSINESSES
Acropolis Lighting
All Good Products
Allan Real Estate Investments, Arroyo Grande
Apropos Clothing Stores
Arroyo Town and Country Square, LLC
Branch Mill Organic Farm
ClearWater Tech, San Luis Obispo
Gardens by Gabriel
GE FORGE, Grover Beach
Marcia Burtt Gallery
Natural Healing Center, Grover Beach
Pacific Energy Company
Plantera Primal Stoneware Ceramics, Oceano
studio2G Architects, LLP
Templeton Valley Farms
Terries Succulents, Arroyo Grande
Toucan Wines, Arroyo Grande
WRH Research, LLC
POLITICAL LEADERS
Aaron Gomez, San Luis Obispo City Council Member
Abe Lincoln, candidate for San Luis Obispo City Council
Bill Ostrander, Democratic candidate for California’s 35th Assembly District, including San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara Counties.
Dawn Addis, candidate for Morro Bay City Council
Yes on Measure G supports our positive water future. Clean and safe drinking and agricultural water are critical to SLO Countys prosperity. Together, we create the future we want – Join me by voting YES on Measure G in the upcoming election. Dawn Addis
Heidi Harmon, Mayor of San Luis Obispo Mayor
Join me to help protect our precious water, our land, our air quality, and build a future with renewable energy support the Coalition to Protect San Luis Obispo County – informed voters empower positive change Heidi Harmon
Jan Howell Marx, Esq. Attorney and former Mayor of San Luis Obispo
Measure G is crucial for the protection our County’s most precious resource, water, and most productive economic drivers, agriculture and tourism. I urge you to vote YES on Measure G Jan Howell Marx
Jen Ford, Co-Founder/Organizer at Womens March San Luis Obispo
Marcia Guthrie, Pismo Beach City Council Member
EDUCATORS
Ann Lucas, Professor Allan Hancock College
Anthony Buffa, Professor of Physics (Emeritus) Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Antonio Garcia, Professor of Geology Physics Department, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Dr. Cynthia Lewis, Marine Biologist, Educator
David Mitchell, Professor of Physics Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Dennis Judd, Retired History Instructor – Cuesta College
Heather Dine, Educator and Business Owner
Janice Mundee, Educator
Jennifer Klay, Professor of Physics Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Jessamyn Pattison, Public School Educator
Kathleen Cairns, Educator
Lizza Demsetz, Senior Lecturer of Physics Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Michael Bondello, Professor of Biology Allan Hancock College
Dr. Patrick Len
Richard Frankel, Professor of Physics (Emeritus) Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Tara Dolan, Science Teacher
STUDENT LEADERS
Alexis Sheffield, Student
Amanda Guard, Vice President at The Surfrider Foundation Cal Poly Club
Mikaela Mills, Student
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Dr. Deirdre D’Orazio
Dr. George Hansen, MD
Dr. Matthew Kim, DDS
Susan Brigham, Retired RN
COMMUNITY MEMBERS (too many to list here – over 20,000 SLO Voters signed to place Measure G on the ballot – that’s about 25% of the vote in our county – bring a friend and VOTE YES on G)