San Benito County's (Calif.) Measure J: Voters back anti-fracking plan

[Newsjock]

Source: San Jose Mercury News

San Benito County voters on Tuesday approved a groundbreaking ballot measure that outlaws the controversial oil extraction technique known as fracking.

San Benito County residents heavily supported Measure J, overcoming the oil industry's well-funded opposition campaign. A similar measure in Santa Barbara County, backed by environmentalists there, appeared to be heading to defeat.

San Benito County attracted attention across California by placing the closely watched measure on the ballot to outlaw hydraulic fracturing, the oil-extraction technique known as fracking that has stirred environmental debate nationwide.

... The oil industry, worried about such copycat measures, fought back hard against San Benito County's proposal, pouring about $1.8 million into the opposition campaign. With Chevron, ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum and other oil giants writing checks, the opposition outspent Measure J supporters 15-1 during the campaign.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_26866639/san-benito-countys-measure-j-voters-backing-anti

[C Moon]

1. oh wow! That is soooooo great!!!

[davidpdx]

2. It needs to be banned in California completely

The risk of an earthquake in an area like that puts millions of lives at risk.

[hunter]

3. The greater fear for most of us, I think, is getting that fracking stuff in our water.

There's always going to be earthquakes here.