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California drilling gets a new opening
Oil and gas drilling on federal land in California is moving forward again after years of legal and environmental review. The decision puts Central Valley energy sites back in focus for workers, companies, and residents.
Federal officials say the move supports domestic energy production, while conservation groups warn it could affect public land, water, wildlife, and nearby communities.
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BLM clears the path
The Bureau of Land Management released its decision on June 23, allowing oil and gas leasing to resume in the Bakersfield Field Office planning area after a long pause.
The agency said the decision follows a supplemental environmental impact statement and fulfills a July 2022 settlement agreement tied to earlier lawsuits over leasing reviews in California.
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Eight counties are included
The leasing decision covers public lands in parts of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura counties across south-central California…