House Votes Down Bass’s Legislation Banning Use of Federal Funds For Fracking At Inglewood Oil Field

Congresswoman Karen Bass  (D-CA), offered an amendment to the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2014 (H.R. 2609) on Wednesday, that called for no federal funds to be used to implement, administer or enforce fracking in the Inglewood Oil Field for the coming fiscal year.

Bass, whose 37th Congressional District represents Culver City, introduced the amendment in response to concerns from several area constituents about the environmental, health and seismic effects of fracking in the Baldwin Hills/Inglewood Oil Field. 

The field is nearly 90 years old and spans 1,100 acres in the center of Los Angeles.  More than 300,000 residents from the Baldwin Hills, Ladera Heights, Culver City and Inglewood communities live and work directly around the field.  Additionally, the field sits on the Newport-Inglewood fault line.

Bass said in introducing the legislation, “During my time in the California State Assembly and since coming to Congress, I have heard directly from my constituents that they are fearful about the environmental, health and seismic effects of fracking in the Inglewood Oil Field and the impact it will have on their families and communities such as endangering ground and drinking water, toxic chemical dispersion into the soil and the air, and disruption of the Newport-Inglewood fault line which could lead to major earthquakes or landslides,” Congresswoman Bass said.  “These concerns are justified and the people of Los Angeles and Culver City are entitled to an extensive, long-term and transparent assessment of fracking operations at the Inglewood Oil Fields. Ensuring the health and safety of our constituents should be a top priority.  I am proud to amplify the concerns of my community with this amendment and will continue working with local leaders across Los Angeles and Culver City to address the fracking concerns of constituents.”

However, the House voted down the amendment that same evening.

What do you think of Rep. Bass’s statement and the House’s decision?