Media Advisory, May 23, 2018

Contact: Hollin Kretzmann, (510) 844-7133, hkretzmann@biologicaldiversity.org

Alameda County to Decide if Spill-prone Oil Producer Can Continue Operations

PLEASANTON, Calif.— The Alameda East County Board of Zoning Adjustments will decide at its public hearing tomorrow whether to allow a Bakersfield-based oil company with a history of spills and violations across California to continue operating a Livermore oilfield.

E&B Natural Resources, the only oil and gas producer in Alameda County, is seeking a 10-year permit to operate and expand its Livermore field, where a toxic fluid spill was discovered in 2015. The Center for Biological Diversity and the local group Livermore Eco Watchdogs will deliver comments at the hearing urging the county to reject the application.

“This irresponsible polluter doesn’t deserve any more chances to endanger the community,” said Hollin Kretzmann, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute. “This is a pivotal opportunity for the county to end the dirty oil-drilling operations that jeopardize Livermore’s air and water and fuel the climate crisis.”   

What: The Alameda East County Board of Zoning Adjustments will hear public comments and vote on E&B Natural Resources’ application for extension and expansion.  

When: Thursday, May 24, 1:30 p.m.

Where: City of Pleasanton Council Chambers, 200 Old Bernal Avenue, Pleasanton, CA

Who: Local residents with Livermore Eco Watchdogs and Center for Biological Diversity senior attorney Hollin Kretzmann will deliver comments opposing the permit and will be available for media interviews.

Background
In 2015 Alameda County officials reported a spill of toxic fluid at E&B’s Livermore site, which contaminated 12 feet worth of soil that had to be removed. E&B was fined for failing to report the spill and disposing of the soil without testing for hazardous chemicals.

The Bakersfield-based oil company has reported at least 48 spills of oil or other hazardous materials in four different California counties since 2007, according to records from the California Office of Emergency Services.

The company’s previous permit for its Livermore operations expired in January. Without approval of a new permit, the company can no longer operate the site.