In 1904 the famous “Old Maud” well (pictured) in Orcutt, Santa Barbara County, produced a million barrels in the first 100 days.
This week, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 to establish a framework to prohibit new oil and gas operations and phase out existing operations.
Given the industry’s long history in the County, one would have expected consultation with the remaining companies prior to that decision.
County staff informed Supervisor Bob Nelson, who voted against the ordinance, that they had not reached out to oil companies. Nelson described the ordinance as the nuclear option.
Charles Katherman, who started his own company in Santa Barbara 40 years ago, criticized the county for a lack of communication leading up to the ordinance. “What you’re proposing or looking at to vote on is a euthanasia of my industry,” Katherman said.
When John Smith told me about the County’s decision, I wondered what the late Darwin Sainz would think. Darwin was a proud 8th generation Californian, a well known rancher and oil industry veteran, a community leader, and Citizen of the Year in the Santa Maria Valley. His grandfather worked on the famous Old Maud well. Darwin was effective at reaching out to parties with opposing views and promoting dialogue and compromise. Sadly, reasoned dialogue no longer seems to be an option.
Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE) 