Local News in Brief : Drilling Decision Delayed
The Torrance City Council has postponed until April 5 a decision on a study assessing the environmental impact of drilling for oil beneath a southeast Torrance neighborhood.
Council members said Tuesday that they did not have enough information to judge the adequacy of the study on the oil drilling plan by Kelt Oil & Gas of Torrance.
The company is proposing to drill 108 oil wells from a site at the intersection of Sepulveda Boulevard and Border Avenue. The wells would be drilled at an angle under a 560-acre area that is predominately residential. Residents say they worry that the project would cause visual blight, noise pollution and other problems.
Council members had requested maps showing the exact location of 25 abandoned wells in the residential area. Mayor Katy Geissert also asked for a report on how the drill site would look if it was placed 15 feet below ground level. And city officials wanted more information on how the project would affect the water table.
The state Division of Oil and Gas, which regulates safety, also has scheduled a hearing on the Kelt proposal for March 17 at 7 p.m. in the Torrance City Council chambers.
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