Nearly a million Californians have signed a petition to stop increased energy imports from foreign countries, according to a Dec. 12 release from the California Independent Petroleum Association, a nonprofit trade association representing hundreds of oil industrialists and gas producers.
The signatures gathered—roughly 978,000—are to place on the 2024 ballot a referendum on Senate Bill 1137, which was signed into law in September to restrict oil wells within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, and other locations, and also curtails the in-state production of oil.
The petroleum association has additionally claimed to have raised $8 million toward the effort.
“California-produced oil is the most climate-compliant oil in the world,” said Rock Zierman, the petroleum association’s chief executive officer. “Producers in our state must adhere to the state’s greenhouse gas reduction program and account for all emissions. Foreign oil imports are totally exempt from those requirements.”…