CA Supreme Court Decision
After waiting patiently for 7 years, we’re gratified that the California Supreme Court decided to review the 6th District Court of Appeal’s decision on Measure Z. Protect Monterey County will post the Supreme Court’s decision on this web site as soon as we find out. The 6th District Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the oil industry. We’re grateful that the California Supreme Court is willing to review the 6th District Court’s ruling.
Democracy on Trial
Measure Z won with 56% of the votes. Unfortunately, Big Oil does not respect democracy. After the election, Chevron, Aera Energy (owned by ExxonMobil and Shell) and other oil interests filed 6 lawsuits challenging Measure Z.
Protect Monterey County assembled a legal team to intervene and help Monterey County defend Measure Z. On December 28, 2017, Monterey County Superior Court rendered a decision on Measure Z (see below). It left the ban on fracking in place but struck down both the ban on new oil wells and the phase out of wastewater injection. Protect Monterey County decided to appeal this decision.
Legal documents from the 2017 Measure Z trial (Monterey County Superior Court) are below.
Monterey Superior Court Decision
Below is Monterey County Superior Court Judge Thomas Will’s decision on Measure Z (click on item to view the file):
Big Oil’s Lawsuits
Below are the complaints filed by plaintiffs (click on item to view file):
Big Oil’s Legal Briefs
Below are the arguments submitted by plaintiffs in Phase 1 of the Measure Z trial (click on item to view file):
Briefs Defending Z
Below are the opposing arguments submitted by Monterey County and Protect Monterey County in Phase 1 of the Measure Z trial (click on item to view file):
Big Oil’s Replies to Our Briefs
Below are the replies submitted by plaintiffs in Phase 1 of the Measure Z trial (click on item to view file):