(CN) — The California Conservation Department on Friday released a proposed to stop issuing permits for well stimulation treatments, commonly known as fracking, in the state.
"This regulatory proposal aims to protect life; property; public health and safety; and environmental quality, including mitigating greenhouse emissions associated with the development of hydrocarbon resources by prohibiting new permits to conduct WST across California’s oil and gas sector," the department's Geologic Energy Management Division said in a statement.
Most fracking operations in California are carried out in oil fields in Kern County in the state's Central Valley, where more than 2,200 have been permitted, according to the state. About 12% of oil and 17% natural gas extracted in the state comes from wells that have undergone fracking at some point.
Fracking works by injecting liquids into the bedrock at high pressures, causing cracks that make it easier to access natural gas and petroleum. The process also emits pollutants into the air and can increase the risk of oil spills, and uses liquids that contain toxins or other carcinogens that risk harming marine life.
Among the reasons for phasing out permits for fracking the Geologic Energy Management Division cited was that widespread public concern and dissatisfaction regarding hydraulic fracking activities and perceived impacts associated with it have continued to intensify in the years since it started a thorough permitting process for the practice.
"Multiple studies in peer reviewed publications have identified deleterious effects on self-reported measures of mental well being associated with proximity to and concerns regarding the perceived impacts of WST activities," the division said. "Such deleterious effects include increased worry, anxiety, and depression about lifestyle, health, safety, and financial security, and loss of confidence in governmental institutions, industry representatives, community leaders, and other core social structures."
"These negative psychosocial effects on well-being can lead to symptomatic impacts on entire communities, presenting epidemiologically significant public health implications," the division said.
In addition, the division said, by facilitating production of oil and gas, and eventual combustion of those hydrocarbons, fracking contributes to hastening climate change, adding that there is unequivocal scientific consensus that climate change is happening and that human activity is the primary driver.
The public and the oil industry can submit written comments on the proposed regulation and a public hearing is scheduled for March 26.
“Californians have wanted to end fracking for years and this rule will finally free us from these toxic operations,” said Hollin Kretzmann, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute. “It’s high time for California to leave dangerous, dirty fracking behind and get on with building a safer, sustainable future for all of us.”
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