Stop Oil Drilling in Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach Puts an End To a 30+ Year Drilling Rights Dispute

2017-03-07T16:12:00.001-08:00

FACT SHEET

CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH SETTLEMENT WITH E&B NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT CORP

The City of Hermosa Beach and E&B Natural Resources Management Corp. has resolved several ongoing disputes between them, putting to rest the issue of oil drilling that began with a 1984 vote to allow oil drilling in the city. Following are the specific terms of the settlement announced on March 7, 2017:

E&B relinquishes all drilling rights in any oil project in Hermosa Beach, including the lease issued by the city in 1992 that gave Macpherson Oil Company (and later E&B, by assignment under the 2012 settlement between Macpherson, E&B, and the City) the right to drill in the city.
E&B relinquishes all mineral and other rights in any oil project in or under Hermosa Beach, including the private leases and School District lease that E&B acquired from Macpherson.
E&B relinquishes all other permits and approvals for oil drilling in or under Hermosa Beach, including all road agreements, state approvals and other permits and approvals E&B acquired from Macpherson.
E&B relinquishes all future claims against the city over the oil project, including claims for interest or any other monetary compensation resulting from the 2012 settlement and the 2015 special election regarding its oil-drilling proposal, the Measure O election.
In exchange for giving up its oil drilling rights and all current and future claims, E&B will receive $1.5 million from the city’s existing funds.

Both sides agree not to disparage one another in their comments about the settlement. This is a common provision in settlement agreements.

BACKGROUND

Since 1984, when voters lifted a longstanding ban on oil drilling in Hermosa Beach, the city has lived with the threat of oil drilling. In 2015, Hermosa Beach voters rejected Measure O, a proposal by E&B to drill for oil at the city’s maintenance yard. The vote triggered a requirement that the city pay E&B $17.5 million-plus interest. After the vote, E&B claimed the city owed E&B interest and had violated the 2012 settlement during the Measure O election.

E&B also claimed that if the city ever overturned its ban on oil drilling, E&B would forever have the right to drill for oil in Hermosa Beach under various leases, permits and approvals E&B continued to hold. It based this claim on its assertion that the voters’ rejection of Measure O in 2015 triggered a force majeure clause in the original lease.

Such clauses refer to occurrences, such as an act of government, that are beyond the control of the parties. A force majeure clause can be used to suspend the contract for the period of time during which those occurrences prevent the parties fulfilling their obligations under the contract.

This settlement resolves these issues by providing that E&B relinquishes every lease, permit and approval it holds in Hermosa Beach. The settlement restores the city to the position it was in before Hermosa Beach ever encountered Macpherson or E&B. It also eliminates all future litigation with E&B over its oil-drilling proposal.

Measure O Defeated 78.9% in Hermosa Beach

2015-03-05T07:53:00.002-08:00

There were 3,799 votes against oil drilling and only 1,016 ballots cast in favor despite being outspent about 20/1.

Hermosa Beach Oil Drilling EIR Draft Discussion

2014-02-13T14:42:00.004-08:00

Oil Drilling & ~~Recovery~~ Cost ~~Benefit~~ Analysis

Recovery Implies That You Once Owned or Possessed Something

Costs Far Outweigh Monetary Benefits To Few People

Air, Water, Noise Health Impacts on the Community of Hermosa Beach

Property Proximity Potential Cancer or Health Impact

Impact Areas Where Injuries Could Occur From An Explosion For Example

Since the City has not provided a proper forum for public comment. Please use this discussion area below for commenting on the EIR.

Are Hermosa Beach Residents' First Amendment Rights at Risk?

2014-02-12T21:54:00.001-08:00

E&B Natural Resources to project opponents: Tell the Truth

Hermosa Beach, February 6, 2014 - E&B Natural Resources Management, Corp., (E&B) a California-based oil and natural gas development company urges Hermosa Beach residents to be wary of anonymous flyers and falsified-Photoshopped photos about the Maintenance Yard Oil Recovery proposal.

“Recently, a rash of anonymous flyers and Photoshopped pictures were circulated in Hermosa Beach. It is obvious that the publishers of these materials know that they are not telling the truth; otherwise they would put their name on the documents. Instead, they are littering the city with rubbish, both in the physical sense of wasting paper and in the intellectual sense of telling lies,” said Steve Layton, President of E&B.

E&B is proposing an oil production project at the city’s maintenance yard at 6th Street and Valley Drive. This proposal resulted from a settlement the city entered into in 2012 to end a 14-year legal dispute over another proposed oil production project. As part of the settlement, Hermosa Beach voters will decide if the city-wide ban on oil drilling should be modified to permit E&B’s proposed project to move forward.

If this item had already been scheduled for the ballot, these flyers would be illegal according to California law. This deceptive campaign by cowards, who are afraid to put their name on the flyers, is simply a malicious effort to mislead supporters in order to disparage E&B and impact an upcoming election.

EB is concerned that widespread circulation of false information disseminated via flyers could make its way on the Internet, email and other new media. Unfortunately, existing local and state campaign laws might not be able to stop this troubling campaign of lies. Misinformation campaigns, such as false flyers are simply aimed at creating doubt in the minds of voters. E&B intends to provide the voters with the facts they need to make sure they are able to cast a meaningful ballot

About the Project:

The Hermosa Beach Resource Recovery Project is a proposal to access previously developed and tapped oil resources offshore of Hermosa Beach from a single, onshore location by utilizing new, environmentally safe and tested directional drilling technology. A project application has been filed as the next step in the process agreed upon by the City of Hermosa Beach and E&B which now enables the city to begin its public review process, including preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), review by various state and regional agencies on air and water quality, safety, noise, traffic and numerous operational elements, as well as local voter approval. For more project information, see https://ebnr-hermosa.com/eb-community/who-is-eb-natural-resources

About E&B Natural Resources:

E&B Natural Resources Management Corporation is a Bakersfield, California based independent oil and gas company. Employing a balanced approach of mature field revitalization, acquisitions, and exploration, E&B now produces approximately 8,000 boepd from 25+ oil and gas fields located in California, Louisiana, Kansas, Wyoming, and Texas. With over 300 dedicated employees focused on all areas of growth and production, E&B is one of the largest privately owned oil and gas companies in California and is a recognized leader within the exploration and production industry. For more information, visit https://ebnr-hermosa.com/eb-community/who-is-eb-natural-resources or www.ebresources.com

Contact: Eric W. Rose (805) 624-0572 or eric@ekapr.com

Carson Bans New Oil Drilling to Stop Occidental's Proposed 200 Slant Well Drilling Project

2014-02-12T15:44:00.001-08:00

Carson City Council Meeting Bans Fracking & New Oil Drilling Projects

The Carson City Council on Wednesday unanimously 5-0 approved a 45-day moratorium on new oil and gas drilling (LA Times), largely due to concerns about hydraulic fracking. The moratorium blocks Occidental Petroleum plans to start drilling more than 200 new slant drilling wells. The company initially said it planned to employ fracking techniques, which inject water, sand and chemicals deep underground at high pressure. The pressure breaks apart rock in an effort to release more oil and gas. That drew opposition from Carson community activists concerned about the potential impact of fracking on air and water quality. In recent weeks, the company has said it wouldn’t use fracking because test wells indicated that it likely would not increase production. Who are you supposed to believe?

But council members said the moratorium would give them time to consider additional regulations. "There are too many questions, too many unknowns and too many possible bad consequences that could result from the city engaging in this activity," said Councilman Albert Robles, according to a Reuters report of the meeting. Robles said the City Council will consider a one-year moratorium after the 45-day period is completed. Carson’s decision follows a Los Angeles City Council's vote on Feb. 28 to pursue a moratorium on fracking and injection wells.

Click Here to Review Details of Pins Carson Oil Drilling Issues

Where are Carson residents, students and business people organizing on Facebook or social media to fight this?

Can Hermosa Beach Permanently Terminate the 35 Year Oil Drilling Lease After A No Vote?

2013-11-20T14:29:00.002-08:00

Is The Oil Lease From 1992 Even Valid?

Why Are 2 Measures Going to Be on the Ballot?

1) Yes or No On Drilling & 2) Where The Oil Money Goes?

E&B Can Put Oil Drilling On The Ballot Several Times Over The Next 35 Years

Huge Election Victories For Stop Oil Candidates in Hermosa Beach

2013-11-08T14:43:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to everyone in our stop oil group! Thank you to Nanette Barragan and Hany Fangary for your staunch support of the stop oil movement in Hermosa Beach! We this movement over a year ago and some major goals were accomplished this week in the election.

I personally have had the best nights of sleep since Bobko announced his oil settlement in the Spring of 2012. Our Stop Oil grassroots movement is a very powerful force that completely influenced the outcome of this election without spending hardly any money. Unfortunately, we have another year to go until November 2014 unless the powers that be can simply make the problem Bobko and Divirgilio created go away.

Why Did The Hermosa Beach City Council Not Read the Mock Jury Trial Transcript Before The Settlement?

2013-10-14T17:43:00.001-07:00

A former City Council member’s opinion

Councilman Kit Bobko has repeatedly told the public that the results of the “mock jury’s” trials conducted by the city’s attorneys, Bird & Marella, were the basis for his decision to agree to a settlement with Macpherson Oil. He told us the mock juries came back with bad news, finding hundreds of millions of damages for Macpherson Oil. Bobko fails to point out that the city’s attorneys specifically told the City Council that this was an exercise to prepare for trial. It was in no way to be used as the cornerstone of a settlement.

Mr. Bobko distorts the truth to make himself look better. He says the city was going bankrupt. This is not true. The City Council only explored conversations with bankruptcy attorneys to assist in the settlement negotiations; we never retained a bankruptcy law firm in a meaningful way except to inform the City Council on the rules and parameters of such an action. The City Council never reviewed the detailed mock jury information because our trial attorneys told us it was not a tool for settlement, merely an exercise for their preparation for the trial. Mr. Bobko said the city was “locked in the embrace of death” by Macpherson. That was in his mind; this was not ever discussed in open or closed session of the City Council. Residents should remember that Bobko’s settlement agreement will cost the city millions even if the citizens approve oil drilling.

Michael Keegan, Hermosa Beach

NoBPinHB apologizes for making a mistake & falsely accusing E&B of being involved in the Huntington Beach oil rig accident

2013-10-14T17:25:00.002-07:00

NoBPinHB would like to apologize for making a mistake & falsely accusing E&B Natural Resources of being involved in the oil derrick accident dated October 14, 2013. We have retracted the article headlined "E&B Natural Resources Huntington Beach Oil Rig Collapses" and regret any misinformation reported. We made this error reviewing public legal documents associated with South Coast Oil Corp and E&B. It was an honest mistake!

NoBPinHB always strives to ensure that all of the information presented on this web site is accurate. Should there be any other errors or inaccuracies please contact us directly to ensure immediate correction.

An oil derrick in Huntington Beach buckled and was tipping over Monday afternoon, prompting evacuations in an apartment building and a home, authorities said. The derrick was threatening homes near 1st Street and Pacific Coast Highway. It was reported about 1:30 p.m., said Huntington Beach Fire Capt. Bob Culhane. The derrick reportedly began buckling during routine maintenance. Officials were using a crane to stabilize the derrick. Additional details were not immediately released. This story is developing. Refresh this page for updates.

Abandoned Well Methane Gas Leak in Hawthorne, California

2013-09-16T14:56:00.001-07:00

Abandoned Water Well Methane Gas Leak Near Capped Oil Wells

Black Dots are Abandoned Oil Wells From Doggr Database

Crews Monday capped a well leaking methane gas in the South Bay that has forced dozens of residents out of their homes. The oil industry calls this a "blow out".

Golden State Water workers were capping the well, located on Imperial Highway in Hawthorne, last Thursday when they suddenly experienced an unexpected outflow of water mixed with the gas, the company said.

Nearly 40 families in the area surrounding the well have been evacuated and put up at local hotels due to the gas’ high flammability. “When are we gonna be back? How safe is it? It’s scary because I have a 2-year-old,” one resident said.

The Glenn Anderson (105) Freeway between Crenshaw Boulevard and the San Diego (405) Freeway as well as the transition roads from the 405 to the eastbound 105 were shut down for a short time, according to the California Highway Patrol. All roads were reopened by 11:20 a.m.

Fire officials said the colorless and odorless gas also has the potential so ignite flash fires.

The water stopped spouting around 11 a.m. after crews pumped mud into the well.

It will eventually be covered with concrete. It was unclear when families would be allowed to return to their homes.

Methane Alarm Playa Vista

No one in the South Bay wants to have Methane alarms attached to the homes. This would be the sad reality if we started drilling for oil again in the South Bay.

Related Articles:
Over a 30 Year Period 50% of Well Casings Fail
Mira Costa High School Plugged Oil Wells at Risk of an Explosion
Slant Oil Drilling Cannot Be Done Safely Near Abandoned Oil Wells
Capped Oil Wells Beneath Homes & Ocean Can Blowout

Power Run Oil Company in Torrance Has a Dismal History of Compliance, Noise & Oil Spill

2013-09-15T13:30:00.001-07:00

Map of Power Run Oil Company Wells in Torrance

Slide Presentation from Neighbors Appealing to City Council to Enforce Rules

These wells are still active less than 1 mile from Hermosa Beach and just another example of why you don't want an oil company as your neighbor. Keep in mind these wells have been in operation since 1978 so the people moving here chose to live near these areas.

Power Run Oil had a spill in 2002 that took 3 years to mitigate the odor. See the full presentation from the Torrance, Granicus. I find it also interesting that if you look on Zillow the homes near the oil sites worth 20% less than others in the neighborhood. How much is the City of Torrance and the schools benefiting from this oil operation?

Don't Re-Elect Kit Bobko For Hermosa Beach City Council

2013-08-19T14:01:00.006-07:00

"The idea that oil drilling is some inherently unsafe activity — I question that"

- Kit Bobko

Here Are List of Reasons Not To Re-Elect Kit Bobko . . .

1) Lead Negotiator of Illegal Oil Settlement
2) Disruptive Behavior & Promotion of Personal Political Agendas

3) Kit Bobko's Horrendous Public Voting Record

4) Multiple Brown Act Violations

5) Kit Bobko is Hiding Oil Related Expenses

6) Kit Bobko Thinks Hermosa Beach Wastes Money Yet Wants $ By Oil Drilling?

7) Kit Bobko Bulldozed His Colleagues Into Signing Oil Settlement & Silenced Them

8) E&B Was Illegally Drilling Under Kit Bobko's Watch

9) Kit Bobko's Hypocrisy About Transparency

10) Kit Bobko's Long History of Wasting Tax Payer Dollars

11) 15 Ways Kit Bobko's Leadership Is Not Impartial To Oil Drilling

Read these letters to the Easy Reader Editor

Out with Bobko

Hermosa Beach city councilman Kit Bobko’s affection for the limelight has clouded his judgment over and over. His recent press release to the newspapers about the selection of Police chief was wrong. His judgment and his critical thinking process are way out of whack. He seems to be more interested in his name being published in the paper and heard on radio or TV than performing the duties of his city council post. His ego caused the city to retain a public relations firm to the tune of $10,000 a month and the city council has spent over $200,000 on this public relations firm over the last 20 months. Bobko wastes money further by going outside this highly paid public relations group and issues his own personal press release, touting his Mayors position for his pick for new Police Chief.

In doing so he went against city policy, a code of ethics and the established procedure for this city hire. He misleads the public as though his title of mayor was voted upon, which it was not. His need for media attention superseded all common sense. Worse yet, he does not understand that his actions actually cost his favored selection the job. The city manager would have appeared to be a stooge of Bobko’s had he gone with Bobko’s press release candidate for police chief. The reason the city council does not get involved in the selection of department heads is that it would lead to a poor selection process. Bobko knows this. He is currently serving as ceremonial mayor at the pleasure of his four other council colleagues. In addition to a resolution of censure, he should be voted to be removed by his other councilmembers as the ceremonial mayor as soon as possible.

Hermosa Beach has no use for such self-promotion and abuse of the ceremonial title of mayor. In November, the electorate can elect some less publicity oriented persons onto the dais.

Michael Keegan

Pure poppycock

Hermosa Beach Councilmember Kit Bobko’s self promotional letter about how he was instrumental in ensuring “that our City was not overrun on the 4th of July” is pure poppycock. First of all, he alone cannot authorize spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for 50-LA County Sheriff’s Deputies, a “35 foot ‘jail bus,’ and mounted horse patrol.” Secondly, the real reason such significant resources are required is because Bobko and his council colleagues have tolerated a party atmosphere with rampant drunkenness and out of control people for years. Moreover, when the city allows July Fourth to begin with the “Iron Man” event that violates Hermosa Beach’s prohibition of alcohol on the beach, it sets the “agenda” for a day of out of control partying and drunkenness. Residents should ask themselves if a more reasonable solution would be to close all our alcohol serving establishments at 6:00 PM on July Fourth and also cancel the illegal “Iron Man.” That would probably stop the city from being “overrun” on July and cost a whole lot less than the city is currently spending on public safety for July Fourth

Fred Huebscher

Here are the people endorsing Kit From His Web Site . . .

South Bay Chapter of the LA County Lincoln Clubs
Former Congressman Steve Kuykendall
Don Knabe, Los County Supervisor
Michael DiVirgilio, Hermosa Beach Mayor Pro Tempore
Jack Burns, Hermosa Beach School District Board Member
George Barks, Former City Council Board Member
Richard Montgomery, Former Manhattan Beach Mayor
Bob Holmes, Former Manhattan Beach City Council Member
Art Yoon, Former Hermosa Beach City Council Member
Greg Breen, Former Board Member, Hermosa Beach School District
Bill Sigler, Former Parks and Recreation Commission
Steve and Susan Blaco
Danay DiVirgilio
Doug Gneiser
Bruce Greenspon
Dorothy Harley
Ken Hartley
Manny Serrano
Corinne Ybarra

Hermosa Beach Mayor Kit Bobko Offers No Apology & Smart-Ass Response

2013-08-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Bobko Offers No Apology & Smart-Ass Response To His Disruptive Behavior

George Schmeltzer Addresses Bobko Undermining Colleagues & City Manager

Kit Bobko Reprimand By City Council Colleagues For Destructive Behavior

Kit Bobko Offers Censure Amendment "I Not Believe in the Easter Bunny"

Los Angeles Democratic Party Opposes Proposed Hermosa Beach Oil Drilling Project

2013-08-19T11:26:00.002-07:00

Resolution Opposing Proposed Hermosa Beach Oil Drilling Project

WHEREAS, the City of Hermosa Beach is considering a proposal to slant drill from its City Yard up to 35 wells underneath the city’s homes, streets and businesses and into the Torrance Oil Field underneath Santa Monica Bay; and

WHEREAS, it is probable there will be negative effects on the health and safety of the citizens of Hermosa Beach and its neighboring communities due to this proposed drilling, and that this project is inconsistent with the city’s pledge to become carbon neutral,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party opposes the proposed Hermosa Beach Oil Drilling Project and any future oil drilling in Hermosa Beach; and strongly supports the City of Hermosa Beach’s pledge to become a “carbon neutral” city and to promote an alternative“carbon neutral” economy for the city; and

THERFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Los Angeles County Democratic Party send a copy of this resolution to the Hermosa Beach City Council and to Assemblymember Al Murastuchi and Senator Ted Lieu.

Author: Dency Nelson, 66AD

Passed By LACDP 8/13/13

Videos From Oil EIR Scoping Meeting on July 24

2013-08-08T16:51:00.002-07:00

The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process has begun for the E&B oil production project proposed to be located in Hermosa Beach. This project is ultimately to be voted up or down by Hermosa voters sometime in the year 2014. The vote is to be had as a result of a settlement agreement made between the city and Macpherson Oil that supposedly ended the lawsuit brought against the city by the Macpherson Oil company as a result of the city’s ban on oil drilling that was voted by the people.

On Wednesday evening, July 24, an EIR “scoping” meeting, as part of the EIR process for E&B’s proposed oil-drilling, was held in Hermosa’s Community Center Theater with several hundred participants hearing a presentation of the EIR process, and then adding their “scope” of the EIR comments.

The city made a video recording and also a transcript of that meeting. You may now view the video on the city’s website. It is listed in the website’s video archives as the “E&B EIR Scoping Meeting Parts 1, Part 2, Part 3. Or use this link to go directly to the video archive page: or browse to https://www.hermosabch.org/ and then click on “agendas / minutes/videos” on the left side of the home page to arrive at the video-archive page. View the video titled Part 1 first as the three video parts may be displayed in reverse order.

The Hermosa Beach video servers are really bad so don't be surprise if your video viewing is choppy. There are a lot of people interested in the topic and viewing the video. Please be patient. Sometimes the video works better using the browsers Firefox and Explorer. Chrome does not work well.

You have until Monday, Aug. 12, to submit additional comments regarding concerns you desire to be included in the “scope” of the EIR. Submit those comments to the city by email (krobertson@hermosabch.org) or hand deliver them to Ken Robertson, Director of Community Development, city of Hermosa Beach.

We will be going through this video over the next few weeks and will publish highlights below.

Hermosa Beach Mayor Kit Bobko Would Rather Drill For Oil vs Raise Hotel Occupancy Tax 2%

2013-08-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

Raising the Hermosa Beach hotel occupancy tax would could bring in an additional $400,000 for the city, staff estimated. The current rate has been in place since 1990 and is expected to generate approximately $2 million in revenue this year. It accounts for more than six percent of the budgeted income. The TOT tax is imposed on all people staying in a hotel in the city for 30 days or less.

According to the city staff report, the South Bay area average TOT is 11.6 percent. Redondo Beach is considering an increase from 12 percent to 14 percent. Manhattan Beach collects 10 percent, but has the authority to charge 12 percent. El Segundo charges the lowest hotel tax in the area at 8 percent.

Mayor Kit Bobko said that he did not feel that the government had a better idea on how to spend a consumer’s money than the consumer, particularly when it comes to tax increases, and made incendiary remarks comparing it to burning money in a furnace. He championed budget cuts over tax increases.

Over a 30 Year Period 50% of Well Casings Fail

2013-07-02T14:39:00.002-07:00

Over a 30 year period 50% of oil well casings fail. How is E&B Natural Resources and the EIR firm going to investigate the 1000 abandoned wells under homes in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach within a 5 mile radius? The E&B project is dead on arrival based on these facts alone. Blowouts and methane explosions under homes cannot be mitigated if they become pressurized. Orphaned or abandoned oil wells nearby under homes in the South Bay can be a huge safety hazard.

Hermosa Beach City Council Must Agendize Their "Oil Neutrality" Closed Session Agreement To Avoid Brown Act Violations

2013-06-25T21:39:00.001-07:00

See Howard Longacre's letter to the City Council received and filed on the June 24 meeting.

Why Are Home Prices Dropping in Hermosa Beach?

2013-06-14T13:47:00.003-07:00

Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach & El Segundo

Condo Townhomes Average Price Per Sale & Sold

(Click Image to Enlarge)

Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach & El Segundo

Single Family Home Average Price Per Sale & Sold

(Click Image to Enlarge)

E&B has been making their rounds presenting to local real estate groups over the past week about the economic benefits of oil drilling in our Beach town. They will spew a truck load of BS and have already costs Hermosa Beach property owners about approximately $343M in aggregate real estate wealth in the first 15 months of being in town. Here is the math = (7000 parcels x $980,000 avg. per parcel) -5% decrease to be conservative. The last 12 months have seen a sharp spike in home prices everywhere in the South Bay but Hermosa Beach.

Unfortunately, the Stop of Hermosa Beach group has not been invited to present the other side of the oil story. If you ask anyone from E&B if slant hydraulic oil drilling can be done safely near the thousands of abandoned wells in the South Bay, E&B will lie and refer to studies or experts. However, ask any other experienced oil executive and they will tell you that E&B is nuts to hydraulic drill with capped wells under homes nearby.

Slant hydraulic drilling cannot be done safely with abandoned wells under homes and schools. Ask E&B if they plan to cover abandoned wells in the EIR? It won't because Marine Research has no experience with with their failed EIR's for Whittier Hills and Baldwin Hills. If they cover how to mitigate an abandoned well becoming pressurized in the EIR it will kill the whole project and E&B knows this. This is also a fact!

Slant Oil Drilling Cannot Be Done Safely Near Abandoned Oil Wells Under Homes & Schools

2013-06-11T16:03:00.003-07:00

The Biggest Failure of Marine Research's EIR for Whittier Hills

Mira Costa High School Abandoned Oil Wells

Abandoned Oil Wells Can Blowout Under Homes
See Doggr

Marine Research EIR consultant (hired by Hermosa Beach City Council for $800,000) failed to analyze the safety impact of slant drilling near abandoned wells in the EIR for Whittier Hills. (see video below) There is little chance that E&B will acknowledge the abandoned wells in Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach or Manhattan Beach either. Experts in the oil industry say the integrity of these capped or plugged wells under homes can only be trusted for around 30 years. Many of these wells were capped 40+ years ago. There is no way for E&B to mitigate the risk of an abandoned well blowout under a home, in the ocean or near a school. This is a massive issue for South Bay and urge you to watch this video and send it to your friends.

This 1 of the 6 "Myths of the Whittier Hills Main Field Oil Project". . The Video Comments presented to the Whittier City Council Meeting by Open Space Legal Defense Fund. The EIR was done by Marine Research which failed to address these problems. Marine Research is also doing the EIR for Hermosa Beach.

Read this news article: Whittier Hills oil project stopped by a Superior Court Judge last week. You won't read in the article but the Marine Research EIR failed in court say my sources in Whittier Hills.

10 Examples of E&B Natural Rescources Management Incompetence & Arrogance

2013-05-31T15:27:00.003-07:00

1) Chairman Galesi Responsible for $100B Worldcom Bankruptcy in 2002
2) CEO Steve Layton Was Responsible for Massive Louisiana Oil Spill in 1998

3) No Acknowledgement of Pressurizing Plugged Oil Wells Buried Under Homes

4) Drilling in Hermosa Beach Without Proper Permits or Residential Notifications
5) Publishing "Half-Truth Stories" In Local Newspapers
6) No Apology & Was Evasive To City Council & Residents About Drilling Error
7) Claiming No Real Estate Value Impacts When It Is Already Happening
8) Why Is Oil Drilling An Oil "Recovery" Project?
9) Horrendous Track Record of Oil Spills In California (see chart below)
10) Only $1M Liability Insurance Policy For 30 Years of Drilling Is Not Enough
11) 700 Gallon Oil Spill in Huntington Beach in 2011

KCAL9 CBS Story "Oil Drilling Proposal in Hermosa Beach"

2013-05-31T08:55:00.003-07:00

Stacey Armato, Michael Collins from StopHermosaBeachOil.com
No Comment From E&B Natural Resources

Thank You Serene Branson from KCAL 9

E&B did not comment on this story because news publicity is last they want in the Los Angeles area. E&B is attempting to take advantage of a vulnerable town and quietly drill into the Santa Monica Bay without waking up the powerful media groups that will make this a huge National story. The oil drilling proposal is not a story about 18,000 Hermosa Beach residents but more about maintaining the lifestyle of 11 million people that enjoy the cool breezes from Santa Monica Bay. Its about jeapardizing the integrity of thousands of plugged oil wells under homes in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach that could leak and explode if they are come under pressure from new hydraulic drilling nearby.

This illegal settlement agreement was constructed by Hermosa Beach City Council Member Kit Bobko and he is obviously nervous in this video above doing his first TV interview on the topic. He will be forced to defend the illegal Hermosa Beach oil settlement it in order to save his political career. Look at Kit Bobko's horrendous environmental voting record. Watch these videos below which show Hermosa Beach City Council hypocrisy, lies, deception & intimidation.

Jeff Duclos Says, "E&B Natural Resources Shows A Shocking Level of Management Incompetence"

2013-05-30T16:05:00.004-07:00

Hermosa Beach City Council Member Jeff Duclos says we should be upset with E&B Natural Resources and the shocking level of management incompetence. They took no responsibility for the lack of oversight pulling a drilling permit and DID NOT apologize for their error.

Former City Council Member Michael Keegan says, E&B has proven so incompetent they can't even pull a proper drilling permit and why isn't the City Council upset? Why isn't Hermosa Beach looking for a new oil drilling applicant?

New Erin Brockovich & Promised Land Movie Be Written In Hermosa Beach

2013-05-30T14:17:00.002-07:00

Did Hermosa Beach City Council Members Get Paid Off?

Hermosa Beach City Council oil drilling silence looks just like the movies Erin Brockovich & Promised Land. Your silence doesn't allow us to have a proper dialog or debate as leaders of our City. Your silence makes us suspicious and looks like you have been paid off. If someone wanted to set up a house of prostitution in Hermosa Beach would you be impartial to that?

Hermosa Beach City Council Members Took An Oath To Protect & Serve Its' Residents

2013-05-30T13:47:00.001-07:00

Hermosa Beach City Council Members Took An Oath To Protect & Serve

Chris Miller (Daughter of Famous Ski Movie producer Warren Miller) delivers a power speech to the City Council. "You took at oath of office to protect and serve its' residents. This is not what Hermosa Beach stands for and I do not want to be owned by an oil company. The California Tide Lands Trust was founded to protected the Coastal areas above the surface and was not developed to sell out what is below the surface."