The controversial oil drilling practice of fracking will be explored during a free screening of the film “Gasland”on Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock at West Los Angeles College during the environment-oriented seventh annual EarthFest LA celebration on campus.
A panel discussion will follow the Gasland screening.
Free parking is available in Lot 5 and the S. Parking Structure.
A coalition of three anti-fracking organizations—Frack-Free Culver City, Citizens Coalition for a Safe Community and Food & Water Watch – will host this event.
The highly controversial process of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is slated for the Baldwin Hills Oil Field, situated in Culver City and the Greater Baldwin Hills area.
“We realize many Culver City residents are concerned about the safety of their families and the greater community,” said Paul Ferrazzi, co-founder of Citizens Coalition for a Safe Community. “But people are busy, and fracking is a complex business. There’s so much to learn. The film and panel discussion are a great opportunity.”
On two occasions, fracking issues have attracted large crowds to the City Council Chambers, where audience members learned the reasons that many residents are opposed to it and are concerned about the prospect of fracking occurring nearby in the oil field.
Local anti-fracking activists have planned the screening and panel presentation as an educational opportunity for both the general public and Culver City Councilpersons who, in the next few month,s are expected to decide whether to ban fracking under Culver City.
The documentary Gasland, created by Josh Fox, explores the earthquakes, accidents, toxic water pollution and other extreme events tied to fracking that already have taken place in New York, Wyoming, Texas, Ohio Michigan and other states.
The panelists include community activists PMr. Ferrazzi and Gary Gless, geologist Dr. Tom Williams, community organizer Brenna Norton and public policy analyst Lance Simmens.
The Messrs. Ferrazzi and Gless, co-founders of Citizens Coalition for a Safe Community, have studied oil extraction practices and their results, particularly in regard to the Inglewood Oil Field, since 2008.
Dr. Williams, a geologist with a 40-year career working in environmental engineering with oil and gas development, has conducted geological and petroleum studies and project development worldwide.
Ms. Norton is the Southern California organizer for Food & Water Watch. Based in Los Angeles. She works with local communities and statewide organizations to ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing in California.
Mr. Simmens, panelist and moderator, has served in senior levels of public policy making for the past 36 years. As a special assistant to former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, he headed the governor’s task forces on wind and solar energy development. He immersed himself in the community issues surrounding the development of natural gas in the Marcellus Shale and became an opponent of unfettered oil and natural gas exploration throughout the state.
The screening and panel presentations are part of the all-day EarthFest LA, produced by California Greenworks, Inc., from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be an environmental expo, an electronic devices drop-off, children’s activities, a noontime opening ceremony, informative presentations and a concert. Most activities are free; the concert is not. To purchase tickets and for more information about EarthFest LA, go to www.earthfestla.org.
