Gavin Newsom just quietly approved another 12 new fracking permits for Chevron to drill in Kern County. This is the latest in a total of 48 new fracking permits granted by Newsom since the COVID-19 pandemic began – and 1,400 new oil and gas permits issued this year.
If you search online, you’ll be hard pressed to find many articles about this in major California news outlets. We need to blow up this news in the media across the state so that more Californians can learn the truth.
Writing a letter to the editor is a simple and powerful way for you to take action and spark this critical public discussion. Just put in your address on the right and it will share different media outlets with you. Select one or more and you’ll be able to enter in your letter to the editor. You can write your own from the talking points below or just use the sample provided, but personalizing it always helps.
NOTE: Your local newspaper may not be included in the tool, in which case we recommend going to their website to get the submission address and requirements.
Gavin Newsom & Oil Production:
- Gavin Newsom just quietly approved another 12 new fracking permits for Chevron to drill in Kern County. This is the latest in a total of 48 new fracking permits granted by Newsom since the COVID-19 pandemic began – and 1,400 new oil and gas permits issued this year.
- Exactly one year ago this week, Governor Newsom visited the massive Chevron oil spill that leaked more than 900,000 gallons of oil. He promised greater oversight of oil production, and said that he “want[ed] to focus not just on demand, but supply.”
- But despite these comments and an article he wrote during this campaign for Governor pledging to oppose fracking, his actions speak louder than his words. He has broken his climate promises and enough is enough.
Oil Production & COVID-19:
- In the midst of a global health crisis and public uprising for racial justice, Gavin Newsom is approving new fracking permits in the Central Valley – putting more Latinx communities at risk from toxic pollution.
- The same racist systems that have policed and killed Black and Brown bodies have polluted Black and Brown communities for far too long. They’ve created decades of physical and mental health disparities that have led to higher death rates among people of color from COVID-19.
- Nearly 5.5 million Californians live within a mile of an oil or gas well. Oil derricks are in their backyards, next to their parks and playgrounds, and visible from their schools – especially in communities of color and low-income communities.
- There's overwhelming scientific evidence that shows exposure to pollutants increases the COVID-19 death rate.
Conclusions/Calls to Action:
- Oil wells don’t belong in front yards, next to schools and playgrounds, or other sensitive areas. Especially during a respiratory pandemic.
- Last month, our movement submitted over 40,000 public comments and thousands testified online to the state calling for a 2,500 foot health and safety buffer zone between oil wells and our homes and schools – but it is still up to Governor Newsom to act.
- There is a bill in CA Senate – AB 345 – that would require the agency that regulates oil drilling to consider a buffer zone for oil and gas operations to protect people who live, play, work, or go to school nearby. The Senate should step up where Newsom is clearly lacking and pass this bill now.
- Use the talking points - but don't be afraid to speak from your heart
- The most persuasive arguments about climate change include examples from your local community and personal experience.
- Remember to keep it short and to the point!
Newsom's fracking permits
Gavin Newsom just quietly approved another 12 new fracking permits for Chevron to drill in Kern County. This is the latest in a total of 48 new fracking permits granted by Newsom since the COVID-19 pandemic began – and 1,400 new oil and gas permits issued this year.
Exactly one year ago this week, Governor Newsom visited the massive Chevron oil spill that leaked more than 900,000 gallons of oil. He promised greater oversight of oil production, and said that he “want[ed] to focus not just on demand, but supply.” During his campaign for Governor, he pledged to oppose fracking.
But actions speak louder than words and Newsom has broken his climate promises. Despite Newsom’s campaign commitments, oil and gas production is increasing under his watch – and in the middle of a respiratory pandemic.
There's overwhelming scientific evidence that shows exposure to pollutants increases the COVID-19 death rate. Meanwhile, nearly 5.5 million Californians live within a mile of an oil or gas well. Oil derricks are in their backyards, next to their parks and playgrounds, and visible from their schools – especially in communities of color and low-income communities.
To address the dual public health crises of COVID and climate change, Gavin Newsom needs to step up and stop oil production in our state. To protect public health, especially in this crisis, we need a 2,500 foot health and safety buffer zone between oil wells and our homes right now.