A Ventura County supervisor is calling for an emergency moratorium on some forms of new, and redrilled oil and gas wells in the county, citing concern about existing wells potentially polluting groundwater. Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett is calling for the temporary ban on additional wells using steam injection, to give the county time to look at the issue.
Bennett says a United States Geological Survey report indicates some petroleum-related gases are migrating into the Fox Canyon aquifer system. The system provides drinking and agricultural water to parts of Western Ventura County.
Peak Oil has proposed more than 70 new wells in the area, which is already zoned for the facilities. County supervisors are set to discuss the issue Tuesday afternoon.
