What a revision! The EIA changed the recoverable oil reserves in California's vast Monterey Shale formation from 13.7 billion barrels to 600 million barrels using existing technology. Also, for the first time, a California county banned fracking.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is expected to release the revised estimates next month in what will be "a blow to the nation's oil future", writes Louis Sahagun, and also a disappointment for the state's economy. Sacramento was hoping that the new drilling would bring "2.8 million new jobs to California and boost tax revenue by $24.6 billion annually" according to a 2013 University of Southern California analysis [PDF].
"The Monterey Shale formation (see map) contains about two-thirds of the nation's shale oil reserves," writes Sahagun. So what caused the downward revision of recoverable oil from the formation?
The energy agency said the earlier estimate of recoverable oil, issued in 2011 by an independent firm under contract with the government, broadly assumed that deposits in the Monterey Shale formation were as easily recoverable as those found in shale formations elsewhere.
It isn't, thanks to California's geology - particularly its seismic activity.
Unlike heavily fracked shale deposits in North Dakota and Texas, which are relatively even and layered like a cake, Monterey Shale has been folded and shattered by seismic activity, with the oil found at deeper strata.
Sierra Club California, a strong opponent of fracking that has been advocating a moratorium included in Senate Bill 1132, greeted the news with caution. "The new estimates won't discourage the oil companies and oil industry service companies", states their press release.
Indeed, Tupper Hull, spokesman for the Western States Petroleum Association, stated, "We have a lot of confidence in the intelligence and skill of our engineers and geologists to find ways to adapt."
On the political front, Santa Cruz County became the first to ban fracking in the state with the Board of Supervisor's unanimous 5-0 vote, writes Jason Hoppin of the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
The move, however, is largely symbolic: There are no known oil leases in Santa Cruz County, nor has it been targeted by oil prospectors.
But other counties with proven oil reserves may follow. "Butte, Santa Barbara and San Benito counties are all considering fracking bans. Beverly Hills also recently passed a ban, becoming the first city to do so."
FULL STORY: U.S. officials cut estimate of recoverable Monterey Shale oil by 96%
The Paradox of Reduced Oil Reserve Estimates
Until recently, California's Monterey Shale was estimated to have the nation's highest amount of recoverable oil. Then the Energy Department revised their estimates, lowering it 96%, which turned out to be bad news for fracking moratorium advocates.
Trump Administration Reopens California Public Lands to Oil and Gas Drilling
A decision by the Bureau of Land Management on Oct. 3 may reverse the outcome of a 2013 lawsuit against the Obama administration by two environmental groups that effectively halted drilling in Fresno, Monterey and San Benito counties.
Department of Interior Plans to Open 1 Million Acres in California to Fracking
The Bakersfield Office of the Bureau of Land Management released an environmental study that is the basis for undoing a 2013 de facto moratorium on fracking on federal lands in California. The Supplemental EIS triggers a 45-day public comment period.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
