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Environmental Groups Back Court Order For More Review Of Controversial Oil, Gas Drilling Practices

Some environmental groups on the South Coast are going to court to defend a previous court victory over some controversial offshore oil and gas drilling practices. The Environmental Defense Center and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper had filed suit against the federal government. The suit contended proposals to open the door to fracking and acidizing offshore could lead to environmental disaster.

Last year, a judge agreed with the suit. The judge required federal and state agencies to do more studies to ensure the safety of the environment before the technology could be used.

The American Petroleum Institute appealed the decision on behalf of the oil industry to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Now, the EDC and Channelkeeper have filed their own appeal to try to insure the court ordered review isn’t overturned.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral. 
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