This event is not to be missed.
At long last, the giant oil company Plains Exploration & Production, Inc., commonly known as PXP, will present the findings of its recent fracking study during a community meeting next Monday evening, at 6:30, at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 5840 La Tijera Blvd., Ladera Heights.
The report is based on a study of two hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) operations the oil company recently carried out in the Inglewood Oil Field. I urge as many residents as possible to attend the meeting.
Immediately following PXP’s presentation, the rest of us will have a chance to ask questions and express concerns.
I’m worried that because fracking is primarily a horizontal process, it’s planned to occur under our homes, businesses, schools, La Ballona Creek, generally throughout the area.
I hope that Culver City, Los Angeles County and the state will enact bans.
What if they don’t?
I am concerned that if fracking is allowed, it will:
• Trigger small earthquakes, possibly a large one.
• Crack foundations of homes and other buildings.
• Pollute ground water at various depths, including aquifers.
• Waste millions of gallons of water used to do the fracking.
• Pollute the air.
• Increase asthma and other health problems.
• Release carcinogens, adding to “cancer clusters” in the area.
• Release methane, thereby adding to global warming.
Many of us activists are wary of this report. Ideally, the study would have been carried by neutral researchers with no profit motive.
But it was carried out by the oil industry itself. The rest of the public, not just activists, needs to be wary of PXP's results.
Those who want to read the report in advance of PXP’s presentation can go to www.inglewoodoilfield.com and download it. The report is due to be released this Wednesday afternoon at 5 o’clock.
Hoping to see many of my Culver City neighbors at the church.
Ms. Rona-Tuttle may be contacted at Rebecca.rona@hotmail.com
