Ventura County Supervisors are set to again look at a moratorium on new oil and gas wells in the county, as well as the redrilling of existing wells which use steam injection. County Supervisors conceptually approved the moratorium earlier this month, and asked the County Counsel’s Office to draw up the ordinance.
The temporary ban was prompted by a U.S. Geological Survey report indicating some petroleum-related gases might be 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. Dozens testified on both side of the issue earlier this month. County Supervisors unanimously approved the concept of a 45 day moratorium to allow review of the issue.
They’ll look at the proposed ordinance Tuesday afternoon.
