BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The Kern County Planning Commission voted to approve recommending bringing new oil wells to Kern County.
The board voted 4 to 0 to approve with one member abstaining from the vote.
The new ordinance calls for over 40,000 new oil wells over the next two decades. It has been discussed for years but it was discontinued after environmental concerns.
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Planning commission discusses oil ordinance
During the meeting on Thursday, the planning commission director presented an updated version of the ordinance. The director says, in fact, they are not calling for 67,000 new oils in Kern County but instead 45,000, and will keep the 300-foot setbacks, this was changed for 4 years for 210 feet in distance for places like schools, churches and hospitals.
Throughout the meeting, more than 20 residents called in to share their thoughts about the ordinance, with more than 100 people leaving voice messages. Although there were a number of individuals against the ordinance due to environmental concerns.
Now the ordinance will go to the Kern County Board of Supervisors for approval.
