THE JEFFERSON SITE
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FAST FACTS
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CURRENT OPERATIONS
There are currently 33 active wells operating at the Jefferson drill site. The operator, oil and gas company Freeport McMoRan (FMOG), From 2013-2014, FMOG reported using 133,766 pounds of corrosive acids and toxic chemicals, including Prop. 65 air toxic chemicals, and other chemicals known to cause cancer and birth defects, just feet from neighboring homes. FMOG has applied for the right to re-drill 2 new wells and 1 new well, as well as to drill twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, for anywhere between two months and two years.
There are currently 33 active wells operating at the Jefferson drill site. The operator, oil and gas company Freeport McMoRan (FMOG), From 2013-2014, FMOG reported using 133,766 pounds of corrosive acids and toxic chemicals, including Prop. 65 air toxic chemicals, and other chemicals known to cause cancer and birth defects, just feet from neighboring homes. FMOG has applied for the right to re-drill 2 new wells and 1 new well, as well as to drill twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, for anywhere between two months and two years.
"Right now, the onus is on the residents to prove that this is dangerous. |
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REGULATORY RESPONSE
Regulatory loopholes have allowed FMOG to pump thousands of pounds of acid into the ground without notifying neighbors. The site is cloaked in secrecy, and FMOG has consistently tried to exclude community members from the permitting process. The oil company, FMOG, even applied to waive public hearings during their application to drill around the clock, 24/7.
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
After blocking the company’s application to drill new wells around the clock with a record turnout at a public hearing kept secret by FMOG, the community has been vocal and active around health and safety concerns. They have staged multiple community protests, calling attention to the lack of transparency and regulation of the sites. Last summer, they joined with the community at the Murphy drill site to host a Kids’ Advocacy Day, where over 100 South L.A. children marched to the Jefferson site, chanting “Hey, hey, ho ho, neighborhood drilling has to go!" On June 9, 2016, the community joined forces with Earthjustice to file a nuisance abatement order to tighten restrictions on FMOG. The community is working with their City Council member Marqueece Harris-Dawson to schedule a hearing with the City Council. |