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FEBRUARY NEWS California Wine Confronts Fracking Monterey grapegrowers suspicious of groundwater contamination S acramento, Calif.—For years, petroleum companies have practiced hydraulic fracturing (better known as "fracking") in California, with virtually no government regulation or oversight. Contrary to official assurances, fracking has been used here for decades— without any attempt to track its use. Now the Department of winesandvines.com Conservation/DiLearn more: Search keywords vision of Oil, Gas "Monterey fracking." and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) is considering new rules. Its "Pre-Rulemaking Discussion Ready to take youR caReeR to the next level? The Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) Opens the Door of Opportunity The Society of Wine Educators offers a comprehensive self-study course to help you successfully pass the CSW exam. The CSW program provides candidates with in-depth knowledge of the world of wine. Exams are offered throughout the year and across the USA. "Now more than ever, if you consider yourself a wine professional, some level of wine accreditation is expected. The certification programs offered by the Society of Wine Educators continue to play the most pivotal role in the education of our sales force and the industry professionals we serve." Barry Wiss, CWE/Vice President of Trade Relations/Trinchero Family Estates Go ahead. Knock. email: For more information– call: 209.481.0848 mchandler@societyofwineeducators.org 22 W in e s & V i ne s F E B R UARY 20 13 Draft" reveals few substantive changes. Proven or suspected repercussions of fracking, in which massive quantities of water and "trade secret" doses of chemicals are injected into petroleum-rich substrata to extract oil and/or natural gas, include industrial truck traffic and pollution on rural roads, visually defacing scenic wine trails, potential triggering of earthquakes and extraction and contamination of untold gallons of groundwater. Situated atop the Monterey Shale formation, the Central Coast, Central Valley and Sacramento Valley are most vulnerable. None of California's major trade organizations have adopted an official stance on fracking. The California Wine Institute and California Association of Winegrape Growers said they are tracking the issue, and The Family Winegrowers have now put it on their agenda. Monterey County supervisor Simon Salinas said he is waiting for the new regulations. A request from Denver, Colo.-based Venoco to frack in the county was turned down. "We need to know we're not going to compromise our water. We need to know that there are protections in place for our water sources," Salinas said. "Our position is clear: We oppose unless they disclose." The Environmental Working Group, a national nonprofit, researches fracking. Bill Allayoud, EWG's California director of government affairs, commented, "The good news is: We have time to act. The drillers) don't care what they do to get gas and oil out of the ground. The Monterey Shale may be resistant to water pressure, so they may use acid" to extract fuel. The clearest message in DOGGR's "PreRulemaking Discussion Draft" is that petroleum companies will continue to police themselves, disclosing their "trade secret" extraction formulas only if demanded by health care professionals—who would be required to sign non-disclosure agreements. "DOGGR is a state agency overseeing a huge private industry. The public must be served, not just the petroleum companies," Allayoud said. "Their No. 1 prime directive is to protect the public, but the 1915 statute doesn't make it clear. We can help and regulate any way we want." —Jane Firstenfeld