Environmental groups are applauding the decision by an oil company to drop plans for a major oil well expansion project on the Central Coast.
Terracore Energy wanted to add hundreds of new wells to the existing Cat Canyon oil field southeast of Santa Maria. The proposal included using a steam injection process to help extract oil.
Environmental groups like the Environmental Defense Center opposed the project because of concerns about air and water pollution, as well as the potential for tanker truck accidents.
This decision by Terracore to withdraw its proposal ends at least short term expansion plans for the Cat Canyon site. Earlier this year, two other energy companies dropped their plans for adding more wells and other facilities to the area.
