A California senator representing the heart of the state’s oil patch has signaled an intent to pursue legislation to enact more oversight on well stimulation techniques.

Kern County GDP

Democratic state Sen. Melissa Hurtado’s intent bill, Senate Bill (SB) 25, indicates the San Joaquin Valley district she represents has many energy industry workers but she wants to protect the rural communities too.

Bills may be introduced through Feb. 19. Hurtado said Kern County residents ought to be “leading any discussion of how state policy affects their economy and environment.” The communities have been hit hard economically by Covid-19, and “reforms to the regulatory system must come with effective investment in, and support of, the workers and communities in the southern central valley of...