Group launches effort to stop proposition overturning a ban on oil drilling near schools, hospitals

Last edited Thu Jul 27, 2023, 11:10 AM - Edit history (1)

San Francisco Chronicle / July 26, 2023

A committee backed by environmentalists and community groups — launched with $500,000 in seed funding by ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt — will announce Wednesday it is fighting a November 2024 ballot measure, backed by fossil fuel companies, that would overturn a 2022 law banning drilling within a half-mile of schools and hospitals.

The new committee, called the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California, is hoping to counter a ballot measure on the November 2024 slate that is funded with at least $20 million from oil companies called Stop the Energy Shutdown. The oil company funded committee, backed with $4.5 million from Sentinel Peak Resources California LLC, and other petroleum companies, wants to overturn SB1137. The law has been on hold since the secretary of state certified the industry-backed ballot measure.

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The anti-Big Oil side anticipates being massively outspent if they decide to fund a competing ballot measure in November 2024. But campaign manager Chris Lehman said he is confident that his side will be able to raise enough to get its message out.

“Californians do not want toxic oil drilling next to their schools, next to neighborhoods, hospitals, period,” Lehman said. “As long as we can make the case that that’s what this does, we’re going to be fine.”

Link (paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joegarofoli/article/oil-drilling-ballot-measure-18260158.php

Quote (from the link): “Big Oil knows that California is moving beyond fossil fuels, so on their way out these corporations are doing everything they can to squeeze out profits as they pollute our communities. We’re not standing for it.” -- Governor Gavin Newsom

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Even if Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California can't raise a lot of money to counter, I think Californians won't buy the B.S. lies and drama big oil campaign ads will certainly feature.