County Finishes Draft EIR On Petroleum Industry Impacts

Kern County has released a draft environmental impact report that suggests multiple oil and gas permitting revisions.

Lorelei Oviatt is the director of the county’s planning and community development department and says producers will pay higher costs under the proposal in exchange for regulatory certainty.

“This is a streamlined permitting system that also works with the Division of Oil and Gas and provides the environmental coverage that all of the state agencies will need,” she said.

The planning commission and supervisors will consider the plan after a 45-day public comment period.

– Anthony Pollreisz