Taft council seeks economic study after state OKs oil permits
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Summary
Councilors agreed to invite Kern County economic‑development representatives to brief the city after members raised concerns about local impacts from a recent state law they said allows up to 2,000 drilling permits per year; the council did not commit to a funded study but directed staff to invite KEDC officials to present.
Councilors at the Taft City Council meeting on Nov. 18 discussed the possible local economic and service impacts of a recently enacted state oil‑permitting law and directed staff to invite county economic‑development representatives to brief the council.
Councilman Crier introduced the item during future agenda requests, saying the state action ‘‘give[s] our county 2,000 permits every year for the next 10 years’’ and urging the city to evaluate effects on housing, services and infrastructure. He added a financial estimate for permitting activity, saying it could amount to ‘‘about $1,500,000,000 a year’’ if the permits were used. The council asked for information about timing and local implications and discussed options for a staff report or an independent economic study.
Mayor North said the city could start by inviting representatives from KEDC, suggesting Richard Chapman as a first presenter: "Why don't we start with let's extend an invitation to Richard Chapman or KEDC to come do a brief presentation," he said. Council members also suggested inviting Les Quark to participate. The council framed the invitation as an informational first step rather than a formal contract or funded study.
During the exchange the mayor noted state procedural changes tied to local permitting: he said the Kern County recirculated environmental impact report (EIR) has been codified, which he characterized as reducing the county’s exposure to litigation and clearing a path toward permit issuance on or after Jan. 1. Council members discussed public‑safety and fire‑department impacts, housing availability and temporary motel occupancy during a regional activity surge caused by increased oil operations.
No formal motion to commission a study or to allocate funding was made; the council’s action was to extend invitations for an informational presentation and consider next steps after receiving expert input. The item will return to the council as a future presentation by the invited parties.
Authorities and next steps mentioned during the discussion included references to "Senate Bill 237" (as stated by councilors), the city’s option to seek a staff report or an independent study, and the plan to invite KEDC and at least one local expert to present to the council.
