Is The Oil Lease From 1992 Even Valid?
Why Are 2 Measures Going to Be on the Ballot?
1) Yes or No On Drilling & 2) Where The Oil Money Goes?
E&B Can Put Oil Drilling On The Ballot Several Times Over The Next 35 Years
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Friday, November 8, 2013
Huge Election Victories For Stop Oil Candidates in Hermosa Beach
I personally have had the best nights of sleep since Bobko announced his oil settlement in the Spring of 2012. Our Stop Oil grassroots movement is a very powerful force that completely influenced the outcome of this election without spending hardly any money. Unfortunately, we have another year to go until November 2014 unless the powers that be can simply make the problem Bobko and Divirgilio created go away.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Why Did The Hermosa Beach City Council Not Read the Mock Jury Trial Transcript Before The Settlement?
A former City Council member’s opinion
Mr. Bobko distorts the truth to make himself look better. He says the city was going bankrupt. This is not true. The City Council only explored conversations with bankruptcy attorneys to assist in the settlement negotiations; we never retained a bankruptcy law firm in a meaningful way except to inform the City Council on the rules and parameters of such an action. The City Council never reviewed the detailed mock jury information because our trial attorneys told us it was not a tool for settlement, merely an exercise for their preparation for the trial. Mr. Bobko said the city was “locked in the embrace of death” by Macpherson. That was in his mind; this was not ever discussed in open or closed session of the City Council. Residents should remember that Bobko’s settlement agreement will cost the city millions even if the citizens approve oil drilling.
Michael Keegan, Hermosa Beach
NoBPinHB apologizes for making a mistake & falsely accusing E&B of being involved in the Huntington Beach oil rig accident
NoBPinHB would like to apologize for making a mistake & falsely accusing E&B Natural Resources of being involved in the oil derrick accident dated October 14, 2013. We have retracted the article headlined "E&B Natural Resources Huntington Beach Oil Rig Collapses" and regret any misinformation reported. We made this error reviewing public legal documents associated with South Coast Oil Corp and E&B. It was an honest mistake!
NoBPinHB always strives to ensure that all of the information presented on this web site is accurate. Should there be any other errors or inaccuracies please contact us directly to ensure immediate correction.
NoBPinHB always strives to ensure that all of the information presented on this web site is accurate. Should there be any other errors or inaccuracies please contact us directly to ensure immediate correction.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Abandoned Well Methane Gas Leak in Hawthorne, California
Abandoned Water Well Methane Gas Leak Near Capped Oil Wells
Golden State Water workers were capping the well, located on Imperial Highway in Hawthorne, last Thursday when they suddenly experienced an unexpected outflow of water mixed with the gas, the company said.
Nearly 40 families in the area surrounding the well have been evacuated and put up at local hotels due to the gas’ high flammability. “When are we gonna be back? How safe is it? It’s scary because I have a 2-year-old,” one resident said.
The Glenn Anderson (105) Freeway between Crenshaw Boulevard and the San Diego (405) Freeway as well as the transition roads from the 405 to the eastbound 105 were shut down for a short time, according to the California Highway Patrol. All roads were reopened by 11:20 a.m.
Fire officials said the colorless and odorless gas also has the potential so ignite flash fires.
The water stopped spouting around 11 a.m. after crews pumped mud into the well.
It will eventually be covered with concrete. It was unclear when families would be allowed to return to their homes.
No one in the South Bay wants to have Methane alarms attached to the homes. This would be the sad reality if we started drilling for oil again in the South Bay.
Related Articles:
Over a 30 Year Period 50% of Well Casings Fail
Mira Costa High School Plugged Oil Wells at Risk of an Explosion
Slant Oil Drilling Cannot Be Done Safely Near Abandoned Oil Wells
Capped Oil Wells Beneath Homes & Ocean Can Blowout
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Power Run Oil Company in Torrance Has a Dismal History of Compliance, Noise & Oil Spill
Map of Power Run Oil Company Wells in Torrance
Slide Presentation from Neighbors Appealing to City Council to Enforce Rules
These wells are still active less than 1 mile from Hermosa Beach and just another example of why you don't want an oil company as your neighbor. Keep in mind these wells have been in operation since 1978 so the people moving here chose to live near these areas.
Power Run Oil had a spill in 2002 that took 3 years to mitigate the odor. See the full presentation from the Torrance, Granicus. I find it also interesting that if you look on Zillow the homes near the oil sites worth 20% less than others in the neighborhood. How much is the City of Torrance and the schools benefiting from this oil operation?
Monday, August 19, 2013
Don't Re-Elect Kit Bobko For Hermosa Beach City Council
- Kit Bobko
Here Are List of Reasons Not To Re-Elect Kit Bobko . . .
1) Lead Negotiator of Illegal Oil Settlement
2) Disruptive Behavior & Promotion of Personal Political Agendas
2) Disruptive Behavior & Promotion of Personal Political Agendas
11) 15 Ways Kit Bobko's Leadership Is Not Impartial To Oil Drilling
Read these letters to the Easy Reader Editor
Out with Bobko
Hermosa Beach city councilman Kit Bobko’s affection for the limelight has clouded his judgment over and over. His recent press release to the newspapers about the selection of Police chief was wrong. His judgment and his critical thinking process are way out of whack. He seems to be more interested in his name being published in the paper and heard on radio or TV than performing the duties of his city council post. His ego caused the city to retain a public relations firm to the tune of $10,000 a month and the city council has spent over $200,000 on this public relations firm over the last 20 months. Bobko wastes money further by going outside this highly paid public relations group and issues his own personal press release, touting his Mayors position for his pick for new Police Chief.
In doing so he went against city policy, a code of ethics and the established procedure for this city hire. He misleads the public as though his title of mayor was voted upon, which it was not. His need for media attention superseded all common sense. Worse yet, he does not understand that his actions actually cost his favored selection the job. The city manager would have appeared to be a stooge of Bobko’s had he gone with Bobko’s press release candidate for police chief. The reason the city council does not get involved in the selection of department heads is that it would lead to a poor selection process. Bobko knows this. He is currently serving as ceremonial mayor at the pleasure of his four other council colleagues. In addition to a resolution of censure, he should be voted to be removed by his other councilmembers as the ceremonial mayor as soon as possible.
Hermosa Beach has no use for such self-promotion and abuse of the ceremonial title of mayor. In November, the electorate can elect some less publicity oriented persons onto the dais.
Michael Keegan
Pure poppycock
Hermosa Beach Councilmember Kit Bobko’s self promotional letter about how he was instrumental in ensuring “that our City was not overrun on the 4th of July” is pure poppycock. First of all, he alone cannot authorize spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for 50-LA County Sheriff’s Deputies, a “35 foot ‘jail bus,’ and mounted horse patrol.” Secondly, the real reason such significant resources are required is because Bobko and his council colleagues have tolerated a party atmosphere with rampant drunkenness and out of control people for years. Moreover, when the city allows July Fourth to begin with the “Iron Man” event that violates Hermosa Beach’s prohibition of alcohol on the beach, it sets the “agenda” for a day of out of control partying and drunkenness. Residents should ask themselves if a more reasonable solution would be to close all our alcohol serving establishments at 6:00 PM on July Fourth and also cancel the illegal “Iron Man.” That would probably stop the city from being “overrun” on July and cost a whole lot less than the city is currently spending on public safety for July Fourth
Fred Huebscher
Read these letters to the Easy Reader Editor
Out with Bobko
Hermosa Beach city councilman Kit Bobko’s affection for the limelight has clouded his judgment over and over. His recent press release to the newspapers about the selection of Police chief was wrong. His judgment and his critical thinking process are way out of whack. He seems to be more interested in his name being published in the paper and heard on radio or TV than performing the duties of his city council post. His ego caused the city to retain a public relations firm to the tune of $10,000 a month and the city council has spent over $200,000 on this public relations firm over the last 20 months. Bobko wastes money further by going outside this highly paid public relations group and issues his own personal press release, touting his Mayors position for his pick for new Police Chief.
In doing so he went against city policy, a code of ethics and the established procedure for this city hire. He misleads the public as though his title of mayor was voted upon, which it was not. His need for media attention superseded all common sense. Worse yet, he does not understand that his actions actually cost his favored selection the job. The city manager would have appeared to be a stooge of Bobko’s had he gone with Bobko’s press release candidate for police chief. The reason the city council does not get involved in the selection of department heads is that it would lead to a poor selection process. Bobko knows this. He is currently serving as ceremonial mayor at the pleasure of his four other council colleagues. In addition to a resolution of censure, he should be voted to be removed by his other councilmembers as the ceremonial mayor as soon as possible.
Hermosa Beach has no use for such self-promotion and abuse of the ceremonial title of mayor. In November, the electorate can elect some less publicity oriented persons onto the dais.
Michael Keegan
Pure poppycock
Hermosa Beach Councilmember Kit Bobko’s self promotional letter about how he was instrumental in ensuring “that our City was not overrun on the 4th of July” is pure poppycock. First of all, he alone cannot authorize spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for 50-LA County Sheriff’s Deputies, a “35 foot ‘jail bus,’ and mounted horse patrol.” Secondly, the real reason such significant resources are required is because Bobko and his council colleagues have tolerated a party atmosphere with rampant drunkenness and out of control people for years. Moreover, when the city allows July Fourth to begin with the “Iron Man” event that violates Hermosa Beach’s prohibition of alcohol on the beach, it sets the “agenda” for a day of out of control partying and drunkenness. Residents should ask themselves if a more reasonable solution would be to close all our alcohol serving establishments at 6:00 PM on July Fourth and also cancel the illegal “Iron Man.” That would probably stop the city from being “overrun” on July and cost a whole lot less than the city is currently spending on public safety for July Fourth
Fred Huebscher
Here are the people endorsing Kit From His Web Site . . .
- South Bay Chapter of the LA County Lincoln Clubs
- Former Congressman Steve Kuykendall
- Don Knabe, Los County Supervisor
- Michael DiVirgilio, Hermosa Beach Mayor Pro Tempore
- Jack Burns, Hermosa Beach School District Board Member
- George Barks, Former City Council Board Member
- Richard Montgomery, Former Manhattan Beach Mayor
- Bob Holmes, Former Manhattan Beach City Council Member
- Art Yoon, Former Hermosa Beach City Council Member
- Greg Breen, Former Board Member, Hermosa Beach School District
- Bill Sigler, Former Parks and Recreation Commission
- Steve and Susan Blaco
- Danay DiVirgilio
- Doug Gneiser
- Bruce Greenspon
- Dorothy Harley
- Ken Hartley
- Manny Serrano
- Corinne Ybarra
Hermosa Beach Mayor Kit Bobko Offers No Apology & Smart-Ass Response
Bobko Offers No Apology & Smart-Ass Response To His Disruptive Behavior
George Schmeltzer Addresses Bobko Undermining Colleagues & City Manager
Kit Bobko Reprimand By City Council Colleagues For Destructive Behavior
Kit Bobko Offers Censure Amendment "I Not Believe in the Easter Bunny"
Los Angeles Democratic Party Opposes Proposed Hermosa Beach Oil Drilling Project
Resolution Opposing Proposed Hermosa Beach Oil Drilling Project
WHEREAS, it is probable there will be negative effects on the health and safety of the citizens of Hermosa Beach and its neighboring communities due to this proposed drilling, and that this project is inconsistent with the city’s pledge to become carbon neutral,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party opposes the proposed Hermosa Beach Oil Drilling Project and any future oil drilling in Hermosa Beach; and strongly supports the City of Hermosa Beach’s pledge to become a “carbon neutral” city and to promote an alternative“carbon neutral” economy for the city; and
THERFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Los Angeles County Democratic Party send a copy of this resolution to the Hermosa Beach City Council and to Assemblymember Al Murastuchi and Senator Ted Lieu.
Author: Dency Nelson, 66AD
Passed By LACDP 8/13/13
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Videos From Oil EIR Scoping Meeting on July 24
On Wednesday evening, July 24, an EIR “scoping” meeting, as part of the EIR process for E&B’s proposed oil-drilling, was held in Hermosa’s Community Center Theater with several hundred participants hearing a presentation of the EIR process, and then adding their “scope” of the EIR comments.
The city made a video recording and also a transcript of that meeting. You may now view the video on the city’s website. It is listed in the website’s video archives as the “E&B EIR Scoping Meeting Parts 1, Part 2, Part 3. Or use this link to go directly to the video archive page: or browse to https://www.hermosabch.org/ and then click on “agendas / minutes/videos” on the left side of the home page to arrive at the video-archive page. View the video titled Part 1 first as the three video parts may be displayed in reverse order.
The Hermosa Beach video servers are really bad so don't be surprise if your video viewing is choppy. There are a lot of people interested in the topic and viewing the video. Please be patient. Sometimes the video works better using the browsers Firefox and Explorer. Chrome does not work well.
You have until Monday, Aug. 12, to submit additional comments regarding concerns you desire to be included in the “scope” of the EIR. Submit those comments to the city by email (krobertson@hermosabch.org) or hand deliver them to Ken Robertson, Director of Community Development, city of Hermosa Beach.
We will be going through this video over the next few weeks and will publish highlights below.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Hermosa Beach Mayor Kit Bobko Would Rather Drill For Oil vs Raise Hotel Occupancy Tax 2%
Raising the Hermosa Beach hotel occupancy tax would could bring in an additional $400,000 for the city, staff estimated. The current rate has been in place since 1990 and is expected to generate approximately $2 million in revenue this year. It accounts for more than six percent of the budgeted income. The TOT tax is imposed on all people staying in a hotel in the city for 30 days or less.
According to the city staff report, the South Bay area average TOT is 11.6 percent. Redondo Beach is considering an increase from 12 percent to 14 percent. Manhattan Beach collects 10 percent, but has the authority to charge 12 percent. El Segundo charges the lowest hotel tax in the area at 8 percent.
Mayor Kit Bobko said that he did not feel that the government had a better idea on how to spend a consumer’s money than the consumer, particularly when it comes to tax increases, and made incendiary remarks comparing it to burning money in a furnace. He championed budget cuts over tax increases.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Over a 30 Year Period 50% of Well Casings Fail
Over a 30 year period 50% of oil well casings fail. How is E&B Natural Resources and the EIR firm going to investigate the 1000 abandoned wells under homes in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach within a 5 mile radius? The E&B project is dead on arrival based on these facts alone. Blowouts and methane explosions under homes cannot be mitigated if they become pressurized. Orphaned or abandoned oil wells nearby under homes in the South Bay can be a huge safety hazard.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Hermosa Beach City Council Must Agendize Their "Oil Neutrality" Closed Session Agreement To Avoid Brown Act Violations
See Howard Longacre's letter to the City Council received and filed on the June 24 meeting.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Why Are Home Prices Dropping in Hermosa Beach?
Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach & El Segundo
Condo Townhomes Average Price Per Sale & Sold
(Click Image to Enlarge)
Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach & El Segundo
Single Family Home Average Price Per Sale & Sold
(Click Image to Enlarge)
Unfortunately, the Stop of Hermosa Beach group has not been invited to present the other side of the oil story. If you ask anyone from E&B if slant hydraulic oil drilling can be done safely near the thousands of abandoned wells in the South Bay, E&B will lie and refer to studies or experts. However, ask any other experienced oil executive and they will tell you that E&B is nuts to hydraulic drill with capped wells under homes nearby.
Slant hydraulic drilling cannot be done safely with abandoned wells under homes and schools. Ask E&B if they plan to cover abandoned wells in the EIR? It won't because Marine Research has no experience with with their failed EIR's for Whittier Hills and Baldwin Hills. If they cover how to mitigate an abandoned well becoming pressurized in the EIR it will kill the whole project and E&B knows this. This is also a fact!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Slant Oil Drilling Cannot Be Done Safely Near Abandoned Oil Wells Under Homes & Schools
The Biggest Failure of Marine Research's EIR for Whittier Hills
Abandoned Oil Wells Can Blowout Under Homes
See Doggr
See Doggr
Marine Research EIR consultant (hired by Hermosa Beach City Council for $800,000) failed to analyze the safety impact of slant drilling near abandoned wells in the EIR for Whittier Hills. (see video below) There is little chance that E&B will acknowledge the abandoned wells in Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach or Manhattan Beach either. Experts in the oil industry say the integrity of these capped or plugged wells under homes can only be trusted for around 30 years. Many of these wells were capped 40+ years ago. There is no way for E&B to mitigate the risk of an abandoned well blowout under a home, in the ocean or near a school. This is a massive issue for South Bay and urge you to watch this video and send it to your friends.
This 1 of the 6 "Myths of the Whittier Hills Main Field Oil Project". . The Video Comments presented to the Whittier City Council Meeting by Open Space Legal Defense Fund. The EIR was done by Marine Research which failed to address these problems. Marine Research is also doing the EIR for Hermosa Beach.
Read this news article: Whittier Hills oil project stopped by a Superior Court Judge last week. You won't read in the article but the Marine Research EIR failed in court say my sources in Whittier Hills.
Friday, May 31, 2013
10 Examples of E&B Natural Rescources Management Incompetence & Arrogance
1) Chairman Galesi Responsible for $100B Worldcom Bankruptcy in 2002
2) CEO Steve Layton Was Responsible for Massive Louisiana Oil Spill in 1998
4) Drilling in Hermosa Beach Without Proper Permits or Residential Notifications
5) Publishing "Half-Truth Stories" In Local Newspapers
6) No Apology & Was Evasive To City Council & Residents About Drilling Error
7) Claiming No Real Estate Value Impacts When It Is Already Happening
8) Why Is Oil Drilling An Oil "Recovery" Project?
9) Horrendous Track Record of Oil Spills In California (see chart below)
10) Only $1M Liability Insurance Policy For 30 Years of Drilling Is Not Enough
11) 700 Gallon Oil Spill in Huntington Beach in 2011
2) CEO Steve Layton Was Responsible for Massive Louisiana Oil Spill in 1998
4) Drilling in Hermosa Beach Without Proper Permits or Residential Notifications
5) Publishing "Half-Truth Stories" In Local Newspapers
6) No Apology & Was Evasive To City Council & Residents About Drilling Error
7) Claiming No Real Estate Value Impacts When It Is Already Happening
8) Why Is Oil Drilling An Oil "Recovery" Project?
9) Horrendous Track Record of Oil Spills In California (see chart below)
10) Only $1M Liability Insurance Policy For 30 Years of Drilling Is Not Enough
11) 700 Gallon Oil Spill in Huntington Beach in 2011
KCAL9 CBS Story "Oil Drilling Proposal in Hermosa Beach"
Stacey Armato, Michael Collins from StopHermosaBeachOil.com
No Comment From E&B Natural Resources
No Comment From E&B Natural Resources
E&B did not comment on this story because news publicity is last they want in the Los Angeles area. E&B is attempting to take advantage of a vulnerable town and quietly drill into the Santa Monica Bay without waking up the powerful media groups that will make this a huge National story. The oil drilling proposal is not a story about 18,000 Hermosa Beach residents but more about maintaining the lifestyle of 11 million people that enjoy the cool breezes from Santa Monica Bay. Its about jeapardizing the integrity of thousands of plugged oil wells under homes in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach that could leak and explode if they are come under pressure from new hydraulic drilling nearby.
This illegal settlement agreement was constructed by Hermosa Beach City Council Member Kit Bobko and he is obviously nervous in this video above doing his first TV interview on the topic. He will be forced to defend the illegal Hermosa Beach oil settlement it in order to save his political career. Look at Kit Bobko's horrendous environmental voting record. Watch these videos below which show Hermosa Beach City Council hypocrisy, lies, deception & intimidation.
This illegal settlement agreement was constructed by Hermosa Beach City Council Member Kit Bobko and he is obviously nervous in this video above doing his first TV interview on the topic. He will be forced to defend the illegal Hermosa Beach oil settlement it in order to save his political career. Look at Kit Bobko's horrendous environmental voting record. Watch these videos below which show Hermosa Beach City Council hypocrisy, lies, deception & intimidation.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Jeff Duclos Says, "E&B Natural Resources Shows A Shocking Level of Management Incompetence"
Hermosa Beach City Council Member Jeff Duclos says we should be upset with E&B Natural Resources and the shocking level of management incompetence. They took no responsibility for the lack of oversight pulling a drilling permit and DID NOT apologize for their error.
New Erin Brockovich & Promised Land Movie Be Written In Hermosa Beach
Did Hermosa Beach City Council Members Get Paid Off?
Hermosa Beach City Council oil drilling silence looks just like the movies Erin Brockovich & Promised Land. Your silence doesn't allow us to have a proper dialog or debate as leaders of our City. Your silence makes us suspicious and looks like you have been paid off. If someone wanted to set up a house of prostitution in Hermosa Beach would you be impartial to that?
Hermosa Beach City Council Members Took An Oath To Protect & Serve Its' Residents
Hermosa Beach City Council Members Took An Oath To Protect & Serve
Chris Miller (Daughter of Famous Ski Movie producer Warren Miller) delivers a power speech to the City Council. "You took at oath of office to protect and serve its' residents. This is not what Hermosa Beach stands for and I do not want to be owned by an oil company. The California Tide Lands Trust was founded to protected the Coastal areas above the surface and was not developed to sell out what is below the surface."
E&B Natural Resources is Publishing "Half-Truths" in South Bay Newspapers
E&B Natural Resources is publishing "half-truths" in South Bay Newspapers
Why I Don't Trust E&B Natural Resources or The Hermosa Beach City Council
Watch This Incredible Speech from Patti Sousa
"Why I Don't Trust E&B Natural Resources or the Hermosa Beach City Council"
"Why I Don't Trust E&B Natural Resources or the Hermosa Beach City Council"
There Is No Way An Oil Drilling Vote Will Ever Pass in Hermosa Beach
Lou Morris of Hermosa Beach says, ""There is no way an oil drilling vote will ever pass in Hermosa Beach.
"So many people have commented on the stupidity of our City Government. Parents give lots of money to the schools each year and there is no way they will sacrifice the safety for oil drilling. Newspapers write at an 8th grade level and we are making this way too complicated."
"So many people have commented on the stupidity of our City Government. Parents give lots of money to the schools each year and there is no way they will sacrifice the safety for oil drilling. Newspapers write at an 8th grade level and we are making this way too complicated."
Why Is The City of Hermosa Beach Rushing The EIR & Public Meeting Process?
Land & Coastal Use Planning Process is 3 Years Minimum
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Is The City of Hermosa Beach Hiding Oil Related Expenses?
(Please excuse my typos below)
3) Request for clarification as to where/how the City is specifically keep track of the accumulating city expenditures which are not being reimbursed by E&B Natural Resources as related to the likely 2014 oil ballot measure.
When the settlement agreement between the parties was announced in March of 2012, it was indicated that E&B Natural Resources would be paying essentially all of the costs leading to an election for the purposed of determining if the people of Hermosa Beach would lift the City's ban on oil drilling.
Later it was announced that city staff time utilized for all additional work related to preparation for an election would be reimbursed by E&B at an amount equal to 10% of the cost of the EIR preparation. And further it was indicated that E&B would cover the costs of obtaining the EIR, and would pay not more than $50,000 of the actual election costs.
Since then the Council has approved hiring (at the City expense) consultants to do such things as the City's own "Economic Study", and for a "Community Dialog" process (some or much of which "Community Dialogue" will be oil drilling related according to the RFP for that consultant.)
There appears to be a significant amount of staff time being expended daily on various aspects of oil drilling. Thus, if the EIR preparation costs amounted to $800,000 in total, that would mean E&B would only be reimbursing the City $80,000 for all of its cots for consultants, meetings, reports, attorney fees, staff time and on and on for the extraneous activities leading to the oil drilling election.
The people were essentially told by the Council that the oil litigation was over and that their only costs going forward would be one of the following:
- If the electorate approved oil drilling at an election then the City's obligation to E&B would be $3.5M, plus the City's own costs ongoing attorney and staff time indefinitely, plus essentially the giving over to E&B for their use of a parcel of City Yard land presently worth $11M or more. In other words an approximate total city burden of $14.5M plus city expenditures of perhaps $500,000 indefinitely.
- However, if the electorate maintains the ban on oil drilling they'd simply owe E&B $17.5M and that amount could be paid over a period of years, ie. 30 years at "mutually agreed terms".
All need to be reminded that the settlement agreement requires an extremely valuable 1.3 acre city parcel, with a present value of $11M or more if properly zoned, to be handed over gratis to E&B, along with $3.5M cash, if the voters approve lifting the ban on oil drilling.
Further, all need to be reminded that the city and the school district are to be receiving relatively poor share of the hypothetical oil revenue (it should be not less than 50% in total of direct oil and gas sales revenue). This unfortunate fact indicates that past city councils really did give away the store to Macpherson. Why they so stupidly did that is past history.
3-a) The question here is, how is the city keeping track of its expenses month by month, and where can the public and the Council view and be aware of the ongoing escalating expenses in a manner, ie via a spreadsheet tabulation? Such tabulation should clearly indicate the ongoing costs being reimbursed by E&B from their deposits fund, along with the ongoing costs being reimbursed by E&B from their deposits fund, along with the ongoing city expenditures not being reimbursed by E&B from their deposits fund.
See Item 4 Brown Act
See Item 4 Brown Act
Have The Rights of City Council Members To Speak On Their Own Been Muzzled By An Agreement?
(Please excuse my typos below)
4) Request for clarification as to any other ongoing confidential agreements (other than the March 2, 2013 settlement agreement itself) which have also been made by the City's staff and/or the City Council, and/or with any other entity regarding the oil issue.
Has in any manner the rights of any individual council member to speak on their own, or on their constituents behalf, been muzzled via any agreement by the council in closed session or otherwise? This question has not been answered clearly in my and others' view and such is not specified in the settlement agreement, nor do I recall a debate on the agenda item in any public meeting where the council specifically voted to maintain a position of unanimous support to muzzle themselves. Something seems to be missing here and apparently has a lot do with the perception the public has of the Council regarding the entire oil matter? (See article: Did elected officials in Hermosa Beach violate the Brown Act.)
Complicating the issue is that rumors persist that more than one council member has made it very clear to some residents or business operators that they are either supporting or not supporting lifting the ban on oil drilling in Hermosa Beach.
Unfortunately, that all five council member appear to be stonewalling, on the record, the issue of what agreement they perhaps made behind the scenes indicates to many, if not most, that the Council is being disingenuous and playing politically coy, given that the oil drilling issue is far from new in the city.
Further, it is doubtful that even 1 in 20 of the electorate who actually vote on the oil drilling issue will make up their minds one way or the other, basis reading or understanding anything of the nuts and bolts of the EIR's likely mountain of esoteric data, E&B's application, the flood of mailers and propaganda barrages to be likely put out by E&B and others, or the underlying agreements with Macpherson that have been transferred to E&B or others, nor will they perhaps understand or trust the grandiose claims of revenue one way or the other or the safety or lack of safety claims E&B and others are making. Thus,
4-a) Are there any agreements written or verbal other than the settlement agreement as related to the question of lifting the ban on oil drilling, the election, confidential, or otherwise, that the public and press are not distinctly and formally aware, and understanding of? This could include any issues agreed to by the Council members among themselves, such as that they would not individually take announce a public position on oil drilling until "XYZ" occurs, etc. If there are any other agreements please disclose and clarify as best possible what purpose they are for, why they are needed, and when they are made.
4-b) Is each and every council member free at this time to speak his own mind regarding lifting the ban on oil drilling, both inside or outside of a public forum, and/or to the press on the record? Yes or No? If No, this due to a specific binding agreement made by the full council among themselves, and if so why such agreement required when the settlement agreement is supposedly the full and complete agreement?
See Hiding Oil Money Point 3
Monday, May 27, 2013
Who Owns Present & Future Oil & Gas Mineral Rights?
1) Request for clarification regard the present and future ownership of the oil and gas mineral rights that were own by the City prior to the original agreement(s) with Macpherson.
1-a) Who owns / controls the City's original oil and gas mineral rights at the present time?
1-b) Who will own/control the subject mineral rights if oil drilling IS NOT APPROVED by the voters, and for how long?
1-c) Who will own/control the subject mineral rights if oil drilling is approved by the voters and for how long?
2) Request for clarification regard the Oil Lease expiration data.
2-a) How many years remain on that oil lease?
2-b) Is the clock presently ticketing on that oil lease or has it been suspended due to the prior oil litigation, and if so is it still suspended and to when?
2-c) If oil drilling is NOT APPROVED by the voters what happens to the oil lease, ie. does it expire immediately, will it ever expire, will the clock continue to tick?
2-d) If oil drilling is approved by the voters what happens to the oil lease, ie. when does it expire, will it ever expire and if so when?
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Why Is E&B Natural Resources Calling It An "Oil Recovery" Project?
"Recovery" Definition:
1) The action or process of regaining possession or control of something stolen or lost.
2) A return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength. E&B owns nothing in this town.
Our town is healthy, strong and has been running the just fine without oil drilling for the last 30+ years. E&B is assuming by their use of "recovery" that they own the oil underneath the City and Ocean. This is faulty because the State owns it in a Tide Lands Trust.
Why are you so afraid to call it drilling? Has oil drilling become a dirty word since you are doing it in such close proximity to schools, homes, parks and businesses? Do you think you can secretly get away with installing 70 foot tall drilling rigs in our back yards that will stretch miles underground out into the ocean?
Monday, May 20, 2013
90% of all Oil & Gas Wells are Fracked
Fracking is the process by which drillers inject millions of gallons of water, sand, salts, mud and chemicals—all too often toxic chemicals and human carcinogens such as benzene—into the ground at extremely high pressure, to fracture the rock and extract the raw fuel. Its hard NOT to find a well in Southern California that has NOT been fracked in the last 60 years because the unregulated process has been going on for a long time. How are we to ever know if this is what has caused the thousands of earthquakes the Midwest is now experiencing?
The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), is a United States organization that represents the governors of 30 member and eight associate states, and works to ensure the nation's oil and natural gas resources are conserved and utilized to their maximum potential while protecting health, safety and the environment. It was established by the charter member states' governors in 1935. The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission is the oldest and largest interstate compact in the nation.
Fracking poses serious dangers to both human health and the environment. The three biggest problems with fracking are:
- Fracking is causing earthquakes in Midwest
- Fracking can cause adjacent older plugged wells to explode.
- Fracking leaves behind a toxic sludge that companies and communities must find some way to manage. Safely disposing of the sludge created by fracking is an ongoing challenge.
- Somewhere between 20 percent and 40 percent of the toxic chemicals used in the fracking process remain stranded underground where they can, and often do, contaminate drinking water, soil and other parts of the environment that support plant, animal and human life.
- Methane from fracture wells can leak into groundwater, creating a serious risk of explosion and contaminating drinking water supplies so severely that some homeowners have been able to set fire to the mixture of water and gas coming out of their faucets.
The result, according to the nonprofit Oil and Gas Accountability Project, is that one of the nation's dirtiest industries is also one of its least regulated, and enjoys an exclusive right to "inject toxic fluids directly into good quality groundwater without oversight."
In May 2012 the California Senate defeated a bill, introduced by state Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), requiring drillers to notify local property owners and water authorities in advance that hydraulic fracturing was going to occur, and requiring the testing of groundwater before and after the hydraulic fracturing to determine whether contamination had occurred. Pavley said that this monitoring and reporting approach would help to address citizens' concerns. The state Senate defeated the bill in a bipartisan 18-17 vote.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
A Cry For Help From More Hermosa Beach Residents
Listen to what Kevin Sousa, Michael Collins, Hany Fangary, Allan Mason and Stacey Armato have to say at the Hermosa Beach City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. They are all speaking to the issue of E&B Natural Resources drilling in the Hermosa Beach City Yard without a County permit.
Hermosa Beach Residents Catch E&B Drilling Without a County Permit
Hermosa Beach Patch "City Cited For Lack of Drilling Permit
E&B Natural Resources Contractors Will Be Fined For Illegal Drilling in Hermosa Beach
The City of Hermosa Beach is among three entities cited by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department--Environmental Health Drinking Water Program for drilling on the public works yard site last Tuesday without the required permits.
Brycon, LLC, a consultant out of Newport Beach, and J & H Drilling Co. Inc. out of Santa Ana were also cited for their participation in the work, which was being done on behalf of E&B Natural Resources to test soil and groundwater for contamination.
In the "Notice of Violation & Order," the city, Brycon and J & H were directed to submit a Well Permit Application by today. J & H must also submit proof of a valid California C-57 Well Water Contractor's License.
All three will also be fined, according to Richard Lavin, chief environmental health specialist with the Drinking Water Program. The fine, due by June 10th, has yet to determined, he said late Tuesday.
Permits are required for any well drilling in the state, he said. His department oversees drilling in L.A. County, with the exceptions of Long Beach and Pasadena.
Former Hermosa Beach City Manager Steve Burrell and now $168,000 consultant to EIR process did not comment. Current Mayor of Hermosa Beach Kit Bobko creator of the illegal oil settlement had no comment. Michael Divirgilio also did not return Hermosa Beach Patch's calls for a comment. Current City Manager Tom Bakaly had no comment but issued the following statement below.
HERMOSA BEACH, CA - Hermosa Beach City Manager Tom Bakaly issued the following statement in response to a request from Los Angeles County for a permit for work at the city’s maintenance yard that is part of the environmental study of the oil production project proposed by E&B Natural Resources Management Corp. (E&B).
“The work at the city’s maintenance yard involved shallow borings into the soil to obtain groundwater samples as part of the information-gathering process for the environmental review of the oil production project proposed by E&B. This is a relatively routine sampling operation for a project of this type, and it required just one day of work and little disruption of the site. While the city staff investigated the need for a state permit for the water sampling process, it was unaware that a Los Angeles County permit was needed for such work.
“We apologize for any confusion this environmental data-gathering process might have caused. The city remains committed to providing residents and voters with thorough information about the proposed oil production project and will strive to communicate more fully in the future. As part of the ongoing communication, the City Council will receive an update at its meeting on May 28 about Hermosa Beach’s General Plan, its Community Dialogue and the environmental review process for the proposed oil production project. We invite all the city’s residents to become involved in these processes to help determine the future of Hermosa Beach.”
As is often the case after a Project Application is deemed complete, the city had asked E&B for additional information for the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) submitted as part of E&B’s Project Application. A contractor for E&B conducted shallow borings in the soil at the maintenance yard to obtain groundwater samples to address soil contamination known to exist on the site because of its historic use as a landfill. This sampling process did not constitute “testing” or sampling for oil at the site: It only sought information about groundwater and is much different from oil drilling.
The information from this sampling will help the city gain more information about the groundwater conditions underlying the site and to better evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the proposed RAP. Groundwater information also is essential for an accurate description of baseline environmental conditions in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) the city will be preparing to examine all environmental impacts of the proposed project.
The city had a license agreement with E&B that gave the company and its contractors access to the maintenance yard to obtain the samples. The work was completed on May 7. Before the work began, the city had asked and determined that no state permit was required. After the work was completed, the city became aware that the Los Angeles County Public Health Department’s Bureau of Environmental Protection required a permit and that the permit should have been obtained by the geotechnical contracting company hired by E&B.
The city notified E&B of its responsibility to obtain the permit. E&B’s contractor has now filed for the appropriate permit with Los Angeles County.Related Articles:
Hermosa Beach Residents Catch E&B Drilling Without a County Permit
Hermosa Beach Patch "City Cited For Lack of Drilling Permit
Monday, May 13, 2013
Kit Bobko's Long History of Wasting Taxpayer Dollars For Personal Benefit (Letter)
Not pleased with Bobko (Beach Reporter Letter April 17, 2013)
Hermosa ceremonial Mayor Patrick Bobko seems intent on endowing his own shallow worth with titles and accomplishments earned by others.
Bobko received a congressional appointment to the Air Force Academy around age 18. United States taxpayers expended some $500,000 for his four-year military education with expectation Bobko would serve as a career officer. But Bobko evidently scuttled the Air Force after serving the obligatory contract time, opting instead to return to regular college for two years and acquire a “philosophy” degree, followed by yet another two college years becoming a lawyer.
With his Air Force Academy “Captain” title and lawyer title in hand, but no significant private work accomplishment, Bobko then moved to Redondo Beach after obtaining a “go-for” municipal lawyer job, essentially again on the taxpayers’ nickel at the L.A. law firm Hermosa City Attorney Michael Jenkins then worked, while that firm was contracted with Hermosa Beach.
Bobko still works there, however, after working alongside Jenkins, Bobko moved from Redondo to Hermosa Beach and made his first failed run for Hermosa Council.
Recently Bobko used expensive council meeting time to, on his own, have a photo-op presentation ceremony for an El Segundo military officer, who had won an award and actually is making a career in the Air Force, and then further used that officer to ride with Bobko for more photo-ops in Hermosa’s St Patrick’s parade.
Now Bobko is using costly council meetings to “honor” Hermosans Bobko feels have distinguished themselves. It’s more Bobko photo-ops at city expense to self-aggrandize Bobko by using those who actually have some accomplishment.
Most offensive is that after wasting expensive meeting time and taxpayer money for smiley photo-ops in this council-election year, is Bobko’s clock-watching during the actual important business of council meetings.
Howard Longacre
Hermosa Beach
See this other Howard Longacre wrote about Hypocrites Bobko & Divirgilio Rant About Transparency
E&B Drilling Proposal Will Violate a Noise Ordinance (Letter)
Easy Reader "E&B Drilled" Letter April 30, 2013
E&B Oil has submitted a project proposal that states an intention to create massive changes to the city of Hermosa Beach. First and foremost, they are going to ask the city to believe that they are operating a safe, honest process of harvesting oil from beneath our town and from under our ocean. Our first glimpse into what they propose to do is in having the ability to read their proposal. This proposal is peppered with city code violations. When it seems convenient to follow the code, E&B will cite such code in a highly visible way. Any intention to wiggle around this code is, at best, a parenthetical statement hidden deep inside a paragraph.
My problem begins when there are phases of the proposed project where following the code will be either inconvenient or impossible. When this is the case, the suggestion that the code will be waived, changed or violated seems to be less openly written. Once such case can be found on page 45 of the E&B Project Proposal and reads, “ The drill rig would operate continuously for 24 hours per day, seven days per week, until the appropriate depth and bottom-hole location for each well has been reached. It is estimated it would take approximately 30 days per well for each of the four wells.” This is a description of the drilling of test wells and one reinjection well. With no problems, we are looking at a minimum of 4 months of around the clock drilling and associated noise and disruption, just related to the test wells. The additional 30 wells will take 3 more years of around-the-clock drilling.
Our city municipal code has several provisions that state that this type of activity is prohibited. Specifically, in chapter 8, section 24.040, part C, the following is considered prohibited noise: “the sustained, continuous or repeated operation or use between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. of any motor or engine or the repair, modification, reconstruction, testing or operation of any automobile, motorcycle, machine, contrivance, or mechanical device or other contrivance or facility unless such motor, engine, automobile, motorcycle, machine or mechanical device is enclosed within a sound insulated structure so as to prevent noise and sound from being plainly audible at the property line of the property from which the sound is emanating.” Furthermore, chapter 8, section 24.050 restricts the hours of construction from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and states that, “ construction activity shall include site preparation, demolition, grading, excavation, and the erection, improvement, remodeling or repair of structures, including operation of equipment or machinery and the delivery of materials associated with those activities.” As a person who lives near the proposed site, and whose home (like many in the area) is above the sound attenuation wall and in the line of sight of proposed drilling rigs, equipment, vehicles, workmen, and other aspects of the project, I am highly concerned. The proposed sound attenuation wall does nothing to address the issue of noise pollution facing the majority of houses around the proposed drill site.
I am concerned that E&B Oil might already be operating under the assumption that this code will be ignored or amended for the purposes of their operation. I am concerned that any false assumption, created either by the city council, the city manager, or anyone misleading the citizens of Hermosa, will allow 24 hour a day construction and drilling, and will lead to another lawsuit. I want the citizens of Hermosa, the very citizens who will be voting about the next 35 years of our city’s future, to be informed in every step of this process.
I am presently dissatisfied with this council’s ability to clearly present information about this project.
Keep Hermosa, hermosa,
Michael Collins
Hermosa Beach
See this recent violation of City code on May 7, 2012.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Why is E&B Drilling in Hermosa Beach Without Permit?
I guess the joke is on us and the City can get away doing whatever they want and make up their own rules. When will the lies, corruption and deception of the truth stop in Hermosa Beach? This drilling started at 8am on May 7 at the Hermosa Beach City Yard.
Neighbors were not notified and the City did not have a permit to do this according to sources who asked City Manage Tom Bakaly. Is this grounds to fire a City Manager for ignoring this huge issue? See this incident at the last City Council meeting where Tom Bakaly refuses to publish a letter. Is Mr. Bakaly really working for the people or is he also now working for E&B? Why is Mr. Bakaly hiring an outside consultant to moderate / facilitate a town hall meeting? Many questions need answers and this is not leadership.
Neighbors were not notified and the City did not have a permit to do this according to sources who asked City Manage Tom Bakaly. Is this grounds to fire a City Manager for ignoring this huge issue? See this incident at the last City Council meeting where Tom Bakaly refuses to publish a letter. Is Mr. Bakaly really working for the people or is he also now working for E&B? Why is Mr. Bakaly hiring an outside consultant to moderate / facilitate a town hall meeting? Many questions need answers and this is not leadership.
City of Hermosa Beach Drilling Without a Permit?
Here is the Hermosa Beach drilling ordinance right from their web site. The drilling, boring or otherwise sinking of an oil or gas well, or oil or gas wells, or the maintenance, pumping or operation of any oil well or oil wells or gas well or gas wells in the city is declared to be a nuisance and is declared to be unlawful. It is unlawful for any person to drill, bore or otherwise sink or maintain, pump or operate or cause to be drilled, bored or otherwise sunk, or maintained, pumped or operated, or to aid in the drilling, boring or otherwise sinking, or maintaining, pumping or operating of any gas or oil well or wells for the purpose of procuring oil, gas or other hydrocarbon substances within any portion of the city. It is unlawful for any person to commence the construction or to construct or maintain any derrick, or any oil well apparatus in the city for the purpose of drilling for or maintaining any oil or gas well in the city; except, however, the oil wells now constructed or under construction or in actual operation in the city. (Ord. 95-1139 § 2, 1995; prior code § 21-10)
