Another attempt in California to ban the use of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and other well stimulation technologies has failed to get a key legislative committee’s endorsement, drawing cautious optimism from industry representatives.

California production

Senate Bill 467 by state Sen. Scott Wiener was granted reconsideration to possibly be reintroduced.

The bill also would have prohibited wells from operating within 2,500 feet of homes, schools, healthcare facilities and other populated areas. 

The California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA) and the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) said the legislation was a job killer.

“Lawmakers understood how this unconstitutional bill could expose the state to billions of dollars of lawsuits, would hurt the state’s climate...