R. Rex Parris Appointed As Expert to County Panel Studying Oil and Gas Exploration and Production

LOS ANGELES, April 18, 2016 -- Lancaster Mayor and attorney R. Rex Parris has been appointed to a Los Angeles County advisory panel assisting a County Strike Team assess the conditions, regulatory compliance and potential public health and safety risks associated with existing oil and gas facilities in unincorporated Los Angeles County.

Mayor Parris was named as one of five independent experts in oil and gas exploration and production by Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich.  Mayor Parris will assist the Strike Team, who will report back to the Supervisors with an inventory of oil and gas facilities, an evaluation of compliance with existing permits, review of emergency response plans, and how current facilities impact disadvantaged communities or sensitive populations.

Mayor Parris will assist the Strike Team with recommendations on legislative and regulatory positions, and legal positions that the Board should take to support the overall safety of these facilities in relation to the surrounding communities.  Mayor Parris has considerable expertise on this issue having represented numerous clients involving the oil and gas industry. Mr. Parris is currently representing hundreds of residents impacted by Southern California Gas’s Aliso Canyon storage facility well failure in Porter Ranch.

“Safeguarding our environment has long been one of my strongest concerns.  As Mayor of Lancaster, I have spearheaded the effort to develop the first Net Zero City in the world – producing as much energy from sustainable sources as we consume.  As a lawyer, I have represented clients who have fought the water, soil, and contamination and have been involved in safe drinking water act enforcement and California Environmental Quality Act issues.  I look forward to lending my expertise and helping the Strike Team with their recommendations,” said R. Rex Parris.

As part of its initial report, the Strike Team is expected to provide the Supervisors with recommendations on other facilities that should be evaluated, which may include other industrial uses or pipelines, as well as recommendations on a community input strategy.

Contact:
Dante Hickles (661) 949-2595 or [email protected]