Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today that he is phasing out hydraulic fracturing – also known as fracking – in California.
Newsom has now directed the state Department of Conservation’s Geologic Energy Management Division to stop issuing new permits by January 2024.
“The climate crisis is real, and we continue to see the signs every day,” Newsom said in a statement. “As we move to swiftly decarbonize our transportation sector and create a healthier future for our children, I’ve made it clear I don’t see a role for fracking in that future and, similarly, believe that California needs to move beyond oil.”
Newsom had previously said that he did not have the authority to ban the controversial method of extracting oil, which environmentalists have harshly criticized for years.
Fracking involves shooting a mix of water, sand and chemicals deep into the earth using high pressure to extract oil and natural gas. It uses large amounts of water and evidence shows the chemicals added to the water in the process can make its way into groundwater and then our water supply. There is also evidence that fracking can increase the rate of earthquakes.
Newsom previously issued a temporary ban on new fracking permits in 2019, but then began issuing them again in 2020.
He is also asking the California Air Resources Board to look for ways to phase out all forms of oil extraction in the state by 2045, the same year that he has set as the deadline for California to achieve a carbon neutral economy.
Fracking makes up just 2% of the state’s oil production according to the state Department of Conservation, although the petroleum industry disputes that figure and says it is closer to 17%.
“By banning nearly 20% of production in our state, you’re going to hurt workers, you’re going to hurt families and you’re going to hurt communities in California," said Kevin Slagle, spokesperson for the Western States Petroleum Association.
He argues that banning fracking means California will simply be outsourcing fracking to other states or countries with less stringent environmental regulations.
Newsom says that the state needs to reduce its dependence on natural gas and continue to invest in more sustainable sources of energy.