Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.orgÂ
McKittrick, CA -- A Chevron cyclic-steam injection oil well in Kern County, California has now been leaking for nearly three months, spilling an estimated 974,400 gallons of crude oil and other fluids and making it the largest oil spill in the state in almost 30 years.Â
As the oil continues to flow, Chevron has refused to take meaningful action to stop it. The company announced this week that it would fight an order from the state Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources to "take all measures" to stop the spill and prevent a similar incident from happening again.
In response, Sierra Club California Director Kathryn Phillips released the following statement:Â
“Every major oil company is linked to a disastrous oil spill--it's par for the course. This time, Chevron's reckless actions have spilled over 900,000 gallons in Kern County. To make matters even worse, Chevron tried to keep the crude oil disaster quiet. Chevron must be held accountable for this spill that has been flowing since May.
"California can put a stop to the inevitability of oil spills by intentionally transitioning away from oil extraction. The state must prioritize our public health and our environment over corporate polluters’ profits."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.