"Oil industry lobbyists sought to gain an exemption from the leading California environmental law as they pushed back against legislation mandating oversight of hydraulic fracturing, multiple people familiar with the activities said."
"The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) last week offered language that would have given oil companies conducting fracking on wells a release from requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, legislative aides and green groups said.
The trade group that represents BP PLC, ConocoPhillips Co., Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC as part of its lobbying warned lawmakers that S.B. 4 would necessitate environmental clearances for many of the state's roughly 50,000 existing oil and natural gas wells. Lawmakers were told that the hurdle would enact a default moratorium on the industry, said those familiar with the lobbying pitch."
Anne C. Mulkern reports for EnergyWire September 9, 2013.
