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Governor Gavin Newsom headed to McKittrick to visit oil seepage site

Governor Gavin Newsom
Posted at 9:23 AM, Jul 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-24 12:25:19-04

A massive oil spill in Kern County has gotten the attention of the Governor.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is scheduled to tour the site near McKittrick on Wednesday where an oil spill has been leaking for months.

According to Chevron, which is responsible for the spill, a seepage began in May on the Cymric oil field site.

Chevron is calling the spill a "oil field surface expression."

In statement to 23ABC, Chevron said, "On June 8, Chevron discovered the reactivation of a May 10 seep of oily-water mix into a dry streambed in the Cymric Oil Field. On both occasions, Chevron immediately notified the appropriate regulatory agencies and is working with the agencies to determine the source of the seep. The seep has stopped flowing and the fluids are contained. Chevron is using pumps to remotely extract fluids from the containment area until regulatory agencies deem the area safe for entry and full cleanup. There has been no impact to waterways or wildlife."

Reports indicate that 974,400 gallons of fluid has flowed to the surface since it triggerd in May.