Fighting Windmills....Oilwells

Here is what I said at the lastest hearing on Baldwin Hills Oil well and also sent in letter form


Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commissioners
Community Studies I, Hall of Records
320 W. Temple St., Rm. 1340
Los Angeles, CA. 90012

Re: Baldwin Hills Oilfield Clean Up

Honorable Commissioners:

The CSD revision falls short of providing adequate planning and protection for oilfield cleanup. My husband worked in the oil industry in Louisiana, and I have been following the issues regarding oilfield clean up in that state. Perhaps we can learn something from their problems and experience.

The Department of Natural Resources of that state spent $12.1 million between 1994 and 1998 dealing with 452 wells, 84 pits and 38 facilities. These orphaned wells have been waiting for clean up since they were abandoned in 1948. They are now being cleaned up because of their “potential harm to public health or the environment.” In 1999, nearly one-half a million dollars was spent to plug 8 wells, close 6 pits and remove 10 storage tanks. http://dnr.louisiana.gov/SEC/EXECDIV/PUBINFO/NEWSR/lsunews.ssi

Also in Louisiana, in May of this year, $126 million lawsuit was waged against an oil companies for allegedly polluting 374 acres with production waste. The suit also alleges that drinking water was polluted. The suit was brought by an owner against an operator, saying the operator purposely avoided complying with state environmental protection laws between 1984 and 1996. The plaintiff was awarded $1million in June of this year and no punitive damages were awarded. However, this illustrates the potential for expensive, drawn-out battles between owners and operators, currently acting as allies, regarding the responsibility for restoring the land. http://www.theconcordiasentinel.com/news.php?id=1963

The Baldwin Hills/Inglewood Oilfield is 1000 acres and clean up costs will be substantial. How will the clean up be funded? Is PXP in the position now or will it be able in the future to take on this level of responsibility? Or are the property owners expected to take on the expense of clean up after they have reaped the benefits of drilling on their land? The owners insist that their land-use rights supersede the rights of the community for health and safety – and so they should pay for that privilege, and should be required to make regular payments into an account that will be used to clean up the hills. Commissioners, is the county going to take responsibility equal to the potential damage incurred?
Respectfully,

Michelle Weiner, Lindberg Park Neighborhood, Culver City

Love, Passion, Longevity, Affection

Here is a sneak preview of the hoopa square. Its being printed on charmeuse silk at DPI-SF in San Francisco and should arrive any day. Then it will be sewn onto the background fabric that Rebecca chose, a grey velour, using some type of thin fun yarn. This is the third incarnation of this piece, its been a fun and interesting evolution.