The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce announced its opposition to Measure J on Sept. 24, the No on Measure J campaign recently announced.
“The small business community that is the backbone of our local economy recognizes the importance of our local energy industry,” said Paul Farmer, the Salinas Valley Chamber president. “These companies provide jobs and support other businesses through their investments and when the wages they pay are spent locally. We agree with the San Benito Chamber of Commerce that Measure J goes way too far."
Measure J would amend San Benito County’s General Plan to prohibit several well-enhancement practices that energy companies. Among the drilling techniques mentioned by Measure J is steam injection, a technology pioneered in southern Salinas Valley’s San Ardo Oil Field in 1962.