Expect more oil wells in Kern County, located in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) issued at least 13 new drilling permits in May. Let’s examine the consequences of these new permits, including its impact on racial inequality and air pollution.
The drilling permits are located in the Midway-Sunset oil field. The Oil Climate Index (OCI) estimates that Midway Sunset produces some of the most climate-intensive oils in the world. The oil field produces 70,000 barrels daily and emits greenhouse gas emissions similar to the Canadian oil sands. Most of California’s oil is very heavy, and California contains almost one-half of the country’s heavy oil, which needs complex technology to produce and refine. Extracting just one barrel of oil from Midway Sunset releases an estimated 396.8 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Air Pollution and Racial Inequality In Kern County
Kern County, California’s top oil-producing county, is one of the worst air basins in the country. The American Lung Association gave the county an F in its 2024 State of the Air report. Bakersfield, the largest city in Kern County, ranks in the top spot for short-term and year-round particle pollution. The city ranks number three for ozone pollution. A Harvard University study found that burning fossil fuels is a significant source of short-term particle pollution.
The cost of pollution in the San Joaquin Valley is high. The value of healthcare costs, productivity losses, school absences, and opportunity costs from pollution-related health problems was $498,014,124 in emergency room visits and $223,552,720 in hospital admissions. Reducing ozone pollution would save $8,024,505, while reducing short-term particle pollution would save $46,214,702,
People of color and low-income people in Kern County suffer more from air pollution caused by the oil industry. The population of Kern County is 916,108, and 637,251 of the county’s residents are people of color.
Researchers found that in 2015, 18,000 permits were issued in areas in Kern County that are 40 percent or more Latinx. That includes Midway Sunset, which is predominantly Latinx. The permits occurred also in mainly low-income areas that already experienced environmental degradation. Most permits occurred in areas where the median income was at least 20 percent lower than in Kern County. Nearly all (99.7 percent) of the permits issued were in locations with air pollution. The state issued few permits in predominately white areas with above-average median incomes.
Researchers analyzed exposure to pollution from oil wells in Kern County during three periods (2005–2009, 2010–2014, and 2015–2019). Around 1.1 million Californians lived within one kilometer of active wells during each period, and almost nine million lived within 1 kilometer of plugged wells. Black residents lived near active wells in Kern County 42 to 49 percent more than Black residents across the state. Latinx in Kern County lived near active wells four to 13 percent more than their statewide proportion. In areas with the most oil and gas production, the proportion of Black residents was 105 to 139 percent more than statewide.
The Hypocrisy of Governor Newsom
In September 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom spoke at the UN Climate Ambitions Summit, calling out the fossil fuel industry. “This climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis,” he proclaimed. “It’s the burning of oil, the burning of gas. We need to call that out.” Nine months later, CalGEM, under the Newsom administration, approved new oil permits for Kern County. His words are hot air until he stops his agency from issuing oil permits.
“After a nine-month hiatus, CalGEM is back to their old permitting ways. Instead of handing a lifeline to a dying industry, Governor Newsom’s agency could – and should – be charting our state’s course toward a healthy, livable future where we can all thrive.” Zachary Norris, Greenpeace USA’s California Climate Director
