Board of Supervisors Approve Revised Gas and Oil Permitting Process

Board of Supervisors Approve Revised Gas and Oil Permitting Process

After hours of public testimony and deliberation, the Kern County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously an changes to a contentious gas and oil ordinance.The Board heard phone calls from both sides of the argument with agricultural workers and environmentalists saying the ordinance would be bad for farmlands and public health, while energy workers and even the Superintendent of Schools, Mary Barlow argued the revenue and job-growth cannot be lost here. With the ordinance passing 5 to 0, it projects an additional 40,000 wells will be added here and could create 25,000 jobs.