Everyaction,
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors will vote next Tuesday on health-and-safety buffer zones between toxic oil wells and our homes and schools. The science is clear: Exposure to oil-industry pollution poses devastating health risks, and the harms are greatest within 2,500 feet of a well. While the board will consider enforcing that minimum distance for schools, it's only considering a buffer of 1,500 feet when it comes to protecting homes. Tell the board this is unacceptable, and it must create a science-based setback of at least 2,500 feet for all schools and homes. Oil wells are disproportionately situated in Ventura's communities of color and farmworker communities that are already at higher risk from COVID-19 due to local air pollution. Allowing oil companies to continue drilling here perpetuates environmental racism and compounds risks posed by the pandemic. Urge the board of supervisors to enforce strong health-and-safety buffer zones now. With your support we can stop drilling near homes and schools for good. |