Cain, G. W. (2016, December 19). California sues to block offshore oil fracking. Retrieved

March 13, 2017, from http://www.ocregister.com/articles/california-738926-oil-

environmental.html

On December 19th, 2016, California Attorney General Kamala Harris filed suit to ban hydraulic fracking off the coast of California.  Filed by the Harris office and the California Coastal Commission, the complaint challenges an assessment by the Federal Department of the Interior that failed to address many of the potential environmental risks that come with fracking.  Fracking is not new to California, but has been used on a limited basis in places like Long Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, and the Santa Barbara channel.  The complaint seeks to reimpose a ban placed on fracking on new leases off the coast of Southern California.  The suit comes as another attempt by Californian Democrats to strengthen environmental protection laws in preparation of Donald Trump’s presidency.

 

In comparison to petroleum and coal, fracking looks to be a cleaner solution to the US’ energy demands; however, given the health and geological risks that come with fracking, it would irresponsible not to pay attention to where fracking is happening.  It is hard not to call into question the safety of offshore fracking given the risk of a large scale oil spill or earthquake.  To allow offshore fracking in California without strict surveying of sites would be thoughtless, however an outright ban of fracking may be reactionary.