2nd Quarter Permits To Fix Oil Wells Skyrocket As Groups Urge Newsom To Mandate Plugging Old Leaky Wells To Protect Public Health
Los Angeles, CA — State approvals for permits to fix or deepen existing oil wells skyrocketed in the second quarter by 124% over the same time last year, Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker Alliance said today. Some of the permit approvals by the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) are for idle wells and wells that barely produce, and both types can leak deadly methane and other harmful pollutants.