California County Puts Oil, Gas on Fast Track, Countering State

Supervisors in California’s biggest petroleum-producing county voted Monday to streamline rules, placing permits for potentially 44,000 new oil and gas wells on the fast track through 2035.

The Kern County rule revisions prohibit wells within 210 feet of homes, apartments, churches, hospitals, and places of public assembly and retain a 300-foot buffer for schools. The county would examine online applications within seven business days, with no public comment required for routine reviews. Setback waivers would require additional scrutiny.