Earthjustice is suing the Department of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources, saying the agency’s two-year plan to stop drilling into aquifers at 500 wastewater wells and 2,000 steam injection wells isn’t fast enough.

Attorney Tamara Zakim says they want the sites to close immediately.

“We are operating under a sense of urgency, given the water crisis and the risks that occur everyday,” she said. “First thing’s first, we’ll hope for a judge assignment soon, and then we’ll take it from there.”

DOGGR says they’ve shut 23 wells down and will close more when there’s a risk. Most of the wells are in Kern County.

– Anthony Pollreisz