SB4 Implementation & Kern
County Oil and Gas EIR Update
Air and Waste Management Association – Golden Empire Chapter
9 // 16 // 2014
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
America’s Energy Future
For the first time in
nearly two decades, we
now produce more oil
here at home than we
buy from the rest of the
world, and our all-ofthe-above strategy for
new American energy
means lower energy
costs.
President Barack Obama, Dec 2013
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
The Best Of Times
U.S. crude oil production
has reached its highest
point since 1997, due to
production from shale
and other tight rock
formations, while
reducing imports to their
lowest level in more than
20 years.
American Petroleum Institute
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
The Worst Of Times…
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
The Worst Of Times…
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
The Worst Of Times…
The goal here is
not to win. The
goal here is to
destroy these
people, we want a
smashing victory.
Tom Steyer
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
WSPA On Passing Of Senate Bill 4
California now has the most
stringent regulations on hydraulic
fracturing in the country. However,
SB 4 gives California an
environmental platform to
responsibly develop the potentially
enormous energy resource
contained in the San Joaquin
Valley’s Monterey Shale Formation.
Catherine Reheis-Boyd, WSPA President
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
Hydraulic
Fracturing
Campaign
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
Senate Bill 4
REQUIREMENTS

Prior notification to surrounding land owners

Mandatory disclosure of fracturing fluid with mechanisms for trade
secret protections

Well integrity testing before and after fracturing

Groundwater Monitoring Requirements

Development of environmental impact report

Independent, science-based study of hydraulic fracturing
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
Senate Bill 4 Timeline To July 2015
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
Senate Bill 4 Implementation
STAGES OF SB 4
By January 1, 2014

Emergency rules and regulations in place

Well Stimulation Notices required to conduct operations
By January 1, 2015

Completion of a comprehensive independent scientific study on well
stimulation treatments

DOGGR to adopt permanent well stimulation rules and regulations

DOGGR to enter into formal agreement with other agencies to
delineate regulatory authority

State Water Resources Control Board to develop groundwater
monitoring model criteria
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
Senate Bill 4 Implementation
STAGES OF SB 4 (CONTINUED)
By July 1, 2015

Permanent well stimulation regulations take effect

DOGGR shall certify an environmental impact report (EIR) as lead
agency, regarding any potential impacts of well stimulation in the state
By January 1, 2016

State Water Resources Control Board shall implement regional
groundwater monitoring programs

DOGGR to have Internet Web site operational for operators to report
specific information related to well stimulation treatment
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
Senate Bill 4 Implementation
Current Status
Permanent Regulations

Expect finalization of those rules by November 15th
EIR

Program level document

Announced plan is to circulate it sometime in the fall
SWRCB Groundwater Monitoring Model Criteria Development
 Two public workshops held
 Funding for resources needed to complete included in the state budget
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
BLM EIS Process

Litigation brought by the Center for Biological Diversity halted lease
sales in California and led to a court-ordered NEPA process and
independent scientific study on well stimulation.

BLM held a series of public hearings in the first quarter of 2014 to
educate the public on the impact of hydraulic fracturing, and to collect
comment

BLM contracted with the California Council for Science and
Technology to conduct the independent scientific study which was
primarily a literature review of peer-reviewed papers on hydraulic
fracturing and other well stimulation technologies.
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
BLM CCST Study
COMPLETED LATE AUG
2014

Found no record of impacts
from well stimulation in
California

CCST study was inclusive and
considered extensive public
comments

WSPA saw CCST study as one
of many steps towards safe,
efficient energy production in
California
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
Kern County Role In New Regulations
CEQA EIR DEVELOPMENT

Kern County is preparing an
Environmental Impact Report that
provides oil producers extended CEQA
coverage

Oil industry is supporting and financing
the process

Project consideration slated for Summer
of 2015

Process will assist in development of a
statewide EIR

In 2014, a coalition in support of energy
production formed the Kern Citizens for
Energy to educate local officials and
demonstrate community’s wide support
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
Kern Oil & Gas EIR
www.KernCitizensforEnergy.com
New Local Coalitions industry


Kern Citizens for Energy is a grassroots group established to support
the oil and gas industry
The Kern Oil & Gas EIR will ensure local control of planning
decisions

KCE will educate the community and provide fact based arguments
to opposition claims
Western States Petroleum Association // wspa.org // @wspaprez
Follow along on Twitter
@WSPAPREZ