Letter: Vote “no” on Measure G
To the editor, 
Regarding the “Letter: Measure G allows exiting operations to continue” by Charles Varni
His letter is full of hyperbolic over the top rhetoric statements which are simply not true, and are apparently meant to scare the public into voting for the measure. Vote no on Measure G.
The oil and gas industry is regulated by the California Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR). From their website, the DOGGR “prioritizes protecting the public and the environment in its oversight of the oil, natural gas, and geothermal industries in California. To do that, DOGGR uses science and sound engineering practices to regulate the drilling, operation, and permanent closure of energy resource wells. DOGGR also regulates certain pipelines and facilities associated with production and injection.”
Charles states, “…the injection of more than 1,400,000 gallons a day of toxic wastewater into our drinking water aquifers.” This is patently untrue, the DOGGR would not approve that. Please call the DOGGR (916) 445-9686, and ask them if they would allow what Charles is stating, the injection of toxic wastewater into drinking water aquifers.
Charles states, “…The Arroyo Grande oil field has one of the most carbon-intensive oils on Earth.” Is there a point to that statement? Hydrocarbons (oil and gas) are molecules of Hydrogen and Carbon. The lightest being methane commonly referred to as natural gas which is what most people use for domestic purposes. Its chain consists of one Carbon and 4 Hydrogen molecules (CH4). Crude oil can vary, from being very light looking like diesel, all the way up to heavy which looks and flows like molasses. Price canyon happens to be a heavy crude and so has a much larger Hydro Carbon chain, which necessarily includes Carbon. This is not scary, and it’s no reason to panic. It also means it has more BTU’s per gallon, and it’s refined to more product.
Charles states… “…the truth is that Yes on Measure G allows all routine well maintenance as defined by state rules and regulations, including use of acids.” However directly from Measure G… “Allowing Well Stimulation Treatments in San Luis Obispo County Would Increase the Petroleum-Related Threats to the County. …fracking and acid well stimulation might be used to extract petroleum from the Monterey Shale in the future….” This means Measure G wants to shut down “acid well stimulations.” Which like it or not is part of the ongoing operation of oil fields.
Reducing expansion, or not allowing oil production in SLO county will do nothing to reduce C02 or effect climate change. California already uses more energy than it produces, including crude oil to gasoline ratios. So, any shortfalls will have to be imported. And as a side note… When a person drives an electric car in California, that car is powered by carbon fuel. California does not produce enough electricity so any additional demand is eventually imported from carbon burning sources from other states. This balance gets worse when Diablo is shut down.
When we vote on issues, we should take the time to sort out what’s factual and what is not. Bold hyperbolic rhetoric does nothing to bring us closer to making informed educated decisions. Onshore oil production of heavy crude is very safe, and until a real replacement for gasoline is discovered, we need it and will get it from somewhere. It will be imported from other states or countries.
S Keith Belmont
Paso Robles
