It was still dark this morning when the oil drilling company PXP released to an anxious Westside its (http://www.inglewoodoilfield.com/fracturing-study/) voluminous, long-awaited and first-of-its-kind analysis of fracking in the Inglewood Oil Field.
Some sources said that pursuing pragmatic conclusions this soon is analogous to asking, “What do you think of the Bible because the study is so complex.”
As the Los Angeles Times noted at dawn, the study reached the anticipated conclusion that “fracking would not harm the environment if used at the Inglewood Oil Field in the Baldwin Hills area. The year-long study included several issues raised by residents living around the field, such as the potential risks for groundwater contamination, air pollution and increased seismic activity.”
Although everything in today’s impatient world is instantaneous, except birth and reliable scientific analyses, critics and advocates of the disputed drilling method should take one step back.
That was the advice this morning from City Hall.
“We need to take a deep breath,” said Mayor Andy Weissman, “and take the time to read the (206-page) study.
“It is very technical, and beyond my limited scientific capabilities to be able to read it and evaluate whether the data supports the conclusions.
“This is why the city has retained and been utilizing experts for the past five or six years – so they can conduct the review and provide us with their assessment of the validity of the conclusions and analysis of the data.
“The city needs to take the time to allow for that analysis, to allow for the public to have an opportunity to review the study and reach its conclusions.
“Only then will we be able to move forward with the finalization of our own draft drilling ordinance that will take into account the information in the fracking study.”
Mr. Weissman said he has no idea how soon the city’s consulting scientists and attorneys will deliver their own insights.
“Based on previous discussions and recognizing the City Council’s schedule for November and December, it is unlikely we will have an ordinance discussion before the end of the year,” he said.
