Drilling at the Inglewood Oil Field is the subject of litigation with Culver City. (Photo by Gary McCarthy)
Story Published:
Feb 3, 2010 at 9:21 PM PDT
Story Updated:
Feb 3, 2010 at 9:21 PM PDT
Despite opposition voiced by a legal representative of the oil drilling firm Plains Exploration & Production Company, the Culver City Council approved an ordinance Monday revising requirements for the issuance of an oil drilling permit.
The unanimous 5-0 vote will amend a section of Chapter 11.12 of the city’s municipal code.
It now reads: “The issuance of an oil drilling permit, and the determination of conditions that should be included therein for the protection of health, safety, and welfare, are subject to the discretion of the city council.”
Although nothing in the staff report indicated that the ordinance was aimed at PXP, the primary operator of the Inglewood Oil Field has been the center of a long battle over its desire to drill new wells.
Attorney Mary Beth Maloney spoke on behalf of PXP and told the council that the revised ordinance would violate her client’s rights.
“PXP is entitled to continue its operations as a matter of right,” she said. “Council action in favor of this would be an illegal and unconstitutional attempt to frustrate PXP’s right of operating in the oil field.”
Culver City is already embroiled in a lawsuit with PXP in an effort to halt its future drilling efforts, but City Attorney Carol Schwab said the revised ordinance simply reaffirms a review process that has been in place for decades.
Council members swiftly passed the item with no discussion.
The only comments came from Schwab, who offered only a brief rebuttal to Maloney’s claims. “We disagree with each and every point she made,” Schwab said.
Residents concerned about the health effects of new drilling have been the main opponents of PXP. But some say those individuals are making unfounded claims.
City council candidate Robert Zirgulis, who on many occasions has called PXP’s drilling plans environmentally safe, said the council has gone about the matter with a “kangaroo court mentality.”
He blasted local officials for spending more than a million dollars fighting PXP in court.
“I think you are biased and beholden to a vocal minority ... and purveyors of junk science,” he said.
Local resident Ken Kutcher has been closely analyzing the oil drilling company since an accidental gas leak into his neighborhood occurred in January 2006.
He said the new ordinance is in line with state policies on oil drilling.
“I do believe the proposed amendment is consistent with California Environmental Quality Act and good public policy and the council’s interest in securing public safety in any future drilling,” Kutcher told the council.
Councilman Gary Silbiger, who has in the past voiced his concerns over new oil drilling in the Inglewood Oil Field, was the only councilman who spoke while the item was up for vote and spoke about the next step following the approval of the ordinance.
“I think it’s time to set up a residential committee,” he said, “and start working with it as quickly as we can on reviewing our own laws on oil drilling.”
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