The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission will discuss a controversial oil drilling project Wednesday.
Oil and gas company ERG Resources currently operates nearly 200 oil wells at the West Cat Canyon Oil Field and is hoping to quadruple its oil production by adding new wells. The proposed project would also include a new 3.5-mile oil pipeline.
Critics of the proposal say the project could contaminate the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin.
ERG says it would create jobs and a great tax base for the county.
Large crowds of supporters and opponents of the project showed up at a meeting earlier this month.
During that meeting, the County Planning Commission motioned to continue discussion and staff questions on the item until March 27.
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Santa Barbara County Betteravia Government Center in Santa Maria.
