Moratorium was killed by moderate democrats and “jobs” talk

by Brian Leubitz

Despite the lack of actually attainable oil, the oil industry is still protecting its right to pump vast amounts of water into the ground to try to get at what little is available. In an all out press this week, the oil lobby killed the moratorium:

Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, argued that her measure amounted to hitting “pause” on an oil extraction method that has raised concerns among environmentalists as it’s become more common in California and across the nation. …

Mitchell’s bill failed when four business-friendly Democrats voted against it and three more Democrats withheld their votes. Its defeat illustrates the influence big business has on moderate Democrats in the California Legislature. Some of the same lawmakers also cast swing votes in the Senate Wednesday that killed bills to limit evictions in San Francisco and require the labeling of genetically-modified foods.(SacBee CapAlert)

In a state where Democrats are increasingly ascendant, the fight ends up within the party. The state party is officially on the record supporting a moratorium, but the legislators (and the little well-heeled birdies whispering in their ears) haven’t quite gotten the memo.