Measures that would upgrade environmental reviews on proposed oil drilling under decades-old permits in Ventura County were running neck and neck late Tuesday night following the industry’s multimillion-dollar campaign to defeat them.
“It’s a nail-biter for sure,” said Tomás Morales Rebecchi, treasurer of the campaign to pass the measures.
About half of the electorate favored each, but the “no” side was prevailing shortly before midnight.
A total of 49.44% voted for Measure A in the coastal areas while 50.56% were opposed. On Measure B, which affects the inland areas, 49.08% were in favor with 50.92% opposed.
In raw numbers, Measure A was losing by about 1,100 votes and Measure B by 1,800 votes.
If approved, the ballot measures would uphold a narrow decision the county Board of Supervisors in November 2020. The board imposed the same standard for review of new oil and gas projects regardless of the age of the original permits. The proposed rules were suspended a month later after the industry launched a successful petition drive to send the issue to the voters.
Oil interests claimed the rules would shut down their industry locally while an environmentalists’ group urged passage to protect the water supply and community health. Experts say the rules are more complex and less sweeping than each campaign’s stance but would boost environmental standards.
Measures A and B were the most costly campaigns known in Ventura County history. The industry’s effort funded largely by Aera Energy and Chevron raised $8.2 million to defeat the proposed rules and spent more than $6 million since the beginning of the year. As of Monday, the environmentalists’ group trying to pass them had raised around $1.1 million and expected to spend most if not all of it.
The returns Tuesday night reflected votes received and processed before Election Day and those cast in person Tuesday. The other votes are expected to be counted starting Wednesday, including ballots dropped off Tuesday in boxes around the county, placed in sealed envelopes at vote centers and received by mail.
See results in real time here.
Kathleen Wilson covers the Ventura County government, including the county health system, politics and social services. Reach her at kathleen.wilson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0271.
Voters evenly split over oil measures in first returns – VC Star
