BAKERSFIELD, CA.-People from the oil and gas industry will meet with water officials in Bakersfield today to discuss new fracking regulations.
The meeting will focus on monitoring groundwater quality near drilling sites. Temporary fracking regulations took effect in January. The oil industry said initially it cost them hundreds of jobs.
Today, oil companies will have a chance to weigh in on how the state can streamline the rules. Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is the process where water, sand and chemicals is pumped into the ground to break up dense rock and allow oil to flow.
Oil companies have been fracking in Kern County for over 50 years, but recently the practice has come under public scrutiny because of reported cases of groundwater contamination near fracking sites in other parts of the country.
John Borkovich, State Water Resources Control Board, "People are concerned about water quality especially in times of drought. People are more and more reliant on groundwater and having a safe supply of water for all uses."
Senate Bill 4 went into effect this year, requiring oil companies to test water near a fracking site. And they are required to get a permit to rack. But regulators want input on how the law is working.
The meeting will take place at the Board of Supervisors chambers starting at 8:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend.
The meeting will focus on monitoring groundwater quality near drilling sites. Temporary fracking regulations took effect in January. The oil industry said initially it cost them hundreds of jobs.
Today, oil companies will have a chance to weigh in on how the state can streamline the rules. Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is the process where water, sand and chemicals is pumped into the ground to break up dense rock and allow oil to flow.
Oil companies have been fracking in Kern County for over 50 years, but recently the practice has come under public scrutiny because of reported cases of groundwater contamination near fracking sites in other parts of the country.
John Borkovich, State Water Resources Control Board, "People are concerned about water quality especially in times of drought. People are more and more reliant on groundwater and having a safe supply of water for all uses."
Senate Bill 4 went into effect this year, requiring oil companies to test water near a fracking site. And they are required to get a permit to rack. But regulators want input on how the law is working.
The meeting will take place at the Board of Supervisors chambers starting at 8:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend.