Central Valley residents grapple with fracking regulations

Bakersfield residents testified at a recent public hearing on the state’s new fracking regulations, saying they will be impacted most by the local expansion of the oil extraction method known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Attendees expressed concern over potential harm to air and water in a region already burdened with air and groundwater contamination.  A lack of non-corporate research on fracking contributes to speculation and controversy around the issue.  “We live in a town that’s right next to the largest hazardous waste dump in the Western U.S.  We’ve long suffered from arsenic in water due to pesticides, the bad air quality that’s all over the valley.  And now they want to frack and cause more pollution.”  The full coverage is on South Kern Sol.