Measure Z looks to take down fracking in Monterey County

Preliminary results showing Measure Z passing, with about 55% of votes saying yes and 45% of votes saying no. This comes with about 95% of the precincts reporting.

Measure Z would stop fracking and some oil production tactics in the county, including wastewater injections. Those supporting the measure are fighting for clean water and energy, saying a ban on fracking would protect our health, water and local economy.

“We need the water that we have to use for the right purposes, not to extract oil and fossil fuels out of the ground,” said Andrea Leon-Grossmann with Protect Monterey County.

But of course not everyone is on board, those against the measure stress that there is no fracking currently in the county. That safe and heavily regulated techniques have been used to extract oil for nearly 70 years and fear the measure will hurt the economy.

“If the citizens decide it’s yes, then we have to go along with what they want,” said Joe Gunter, Mayor of Salinas, “and we’ll do our best to survive if this creates the economic impact that it could.”

An economic impact that could cut funding to schools and public safety.

Those who headed to the polls to vote agreed that the measure was confusing and misrepresented on the ballot.