Voters Celebrate Landslide Passage of Fracking Ban in Butte County, California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 8, 2016

Contact:

Ella Teevan, Food & Water Watch, 510-922-0416, [email protected]

Dave Garcia, Frack-Free Butte County, (530) 218-5133, [email protected]

Voters Celebrate Landslide Passage of Fracking Ban in Butte County

Chico, CA – Voters in Butte County approved a fracking ban by an overwhelming 71 percent Tuesday night making it the fourth California county to ban the dangerous method of oil extraction. San Benito, Santa Cruz and Mendocino counties have also passed fracking bans, as have the cities of Beverly Hills and Carson.

“We are thrilled that Butte County voters decided to protect our clean water and almond and walnut farms from fracking,” said Dave Garcia, of Frack-Free Butte County. “We’re proud that we can hand down a community that’s green and pristine to our children and grandchildren.”

Passage of the Measure E ban on fracking comes after a similar ordinance failed to pass the Board of Supervisors in February of 2015. Residents were concerned that county’s 200 abandoned gas wells were ripe for fracking since the practice is occurring in neighboring Glenn, Colusa and Sutter Counties. The toxic chemicals used in fracking, including benzene, toluene and other carcinogens, could make groundwater unsafe for drinking and irrigation.

"We congratulate Butte County for banning fracking and protecting California’s precious water resources," said Ella Teevan, Northern California organizer with Food & Water Watch. "When our Governor and local elected officials fail to act, voters are taking the initiative at the ballot box to protect their health and their water from fracking. The victory in Butte County will inspire other counties and cities to follow suit."

Residents of Monterey and Alameda Counties watched the Butte County measure closely with an eye to their own local campaigns. Alameda County’s Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on a fracking ban sometime this summer; Monterey County voters will tackle the issue on the ballot November 7th.