Will oil well setback law be blocked from taking effect? + Remembering a Bay Area labor champion
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
NEARLY 1 MILLION SIGN PETITION TO BLOCK OIL WELL SETBACK LAW
This year, California lawmakers passed, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed, a bill that requires new oil and gas wells to be set back 3,200 feet from homes, schools and hospitals.
The bill is set to become law Jan. 1, but an oil industry petition campaign may prevent that from happening.
On Tuesday, the California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA) announced that it has collected more than 978,000 signatures on a petition to hold a referendum on the law, SB 1137, in 2024.
State law requires 623,212 valid signatures in order to place an initiative on the ballot.
California Secretary of State’s Office spokesman Joe Kocurek told The Bee that petitions go directly to the counties, who then have eight business days from receipt of the petitions to provide a raw count to the state.
If the statewide raw count total reaches the required signature amount, counties then will have 30 business days to conduct a random sample verification of signatures.
“If the required number of registered voters sign this petition and it is timely filed, a 2022 law will not take effect unless approved at the next statewide general or special election after November 8, 2022,” according to the Secretary of State’s website.
The oil industry has argued that SB 1137 will result in more greenhouse gases, as local production would be slashed and the state would have to import overseas oil.
“There is absolutely no reason California should be held hostage and export our wealth to OPEC+ countries,” said CIPA CEO Rock Zierman in a statement. “But by strangling our domestic supply, Governor Newsom is promoting greater greenhouse gas emissions generated in other parts of the world and making gasoline more expensive.”
STATE LEADERS HONOR PASSING OF BAY AREA LABOR LUMINARY
Gov. Newsom, Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and others paid tribute Tuesday following news that San Francisco labor champion Michael Hardeman had died.
Hardeman served more than three decades as a union officer and member of the San Francisco Labor Council Executive Committee and a delegate to the San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council.
In a statement, Newsom said that he and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom were heartbroken by the news Hardeman had died.
“His big-hearted leadership, empathy for others and legacy of service will never be forgotten. We hold Mike’s family and many friends in our hearts as they mourn this great loss,” Newsom said.
Atkins, a San Diego Democrat, said that Hardeman was tireless in his work to uplift workers and their families.
“In a world where so much can go wrong, Mike was always there to make it right,” Atkins said in a statement.
Feinstein, who hails from San Francisco, said in a statement, “Mike loved all things San Francisco and devoted his life to serving our city and its residents.”
Others to offer remembrances include outgoing Rep. Jacke Speier, Treasurer Fiona Ma, Controller-elect Malia Cohen, State Sen. Scott Wiener and Assemblyman Phil Ting.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“A friendly reminder for folks recently elected to local office in CA - you’re subject to the Brown Act as soon as you’re elected, even before you assume office. (Gov. Code 54952.1)“
- Housing justice advocate Andrés Ramos, via Twitter.
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