Oil companies get green light to frack offshore of Santa Barbara, is it safe?

Photo by Linda Krop

Oil companies can now frack off the coast of California once again. The Obama administration made this announcement last week after a federal report found the process of high-pressure drilling presents little harm to the environment. The report was part of a settlement to halt offshore fracking permits until an assessment of environmental effects was conducted.

The majority of California’s federal offshore oil platforms are located within the Santa Barbara Channel.

KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian spoke with Staff Attorney Maggie Hall at the Environmental Defense Center, the law firm that brought on the lawsuit, and Bob Poole of the Western States Petroleum Industry.

What questions do you have about hydraulic fracturing in Santa Barbara? Ask your questions here. We’ll investigate.