Early Monday morning, radical activist group Greenpeace launched an ill-conceived stunt over the Taft-Kern County Airport in Taft, Calif. in the form of a…dirigible.

Yes, Taft is a town that literally exists because of oil production. And, yes, the blimp is powered by propane and made of petroleum-based polyester. Yes, the tires, O-rings and controls of the airship are made of petroleum-based rubber and plastic. Greenpeace isn’t much for optics, it seems.

Source: Taft Independent

The writing on the green (colored) blimp called for environmental leader and Governor of California Jerry Brown to take a stand against oil production in California, the sixth-largest oil-producing state. This is a strange plea, given that at present California is only producing 38 percent of the oil that state residents consume and importing the rest while our demand for gasoline and diesel is only increasing. Gov. Brown, the politician who has been leading California in its pursuit of sustainability, and was even hailed as “America’s unofficial climate change ambassador” by the Los Angeles Times, has a firmer grasp on reality than Greenpeace, as he has recognized that California can be in the vanguard of environmental policy and still have a thriving energy industry governed by the strictest regulations in the nation.

Soon after the blimp touched down, Taft Mayor Dave Noerr stopped by to try to reason with the activists, an exchange that was captured by the Taft Independentnewspaper on Facebook Live. Upon arrival, Mayor Noerr asked: “What powers this thing? Is that propane?” highlighting the irony of using a large, fossil fuel-powered, petroleum-based polyester airship to protest the production of fossil fuels.

Taft Mayor Dave Noerr  Source: Taft Independent

One of the Greenpeace activists, identified as Mary, responded by claiming that Greenpeace only wanted to “protect the communities that are being polluted by [the oil companies].” Turning this into a teaching moment, Mayor Noerr explained the important role oil production plays in California and Kern County’s economy currently and historically. He also reminded Mary that the oil production companies she disparaged actually donate “hundreds of billions of dollars to this state [California],” and that “no school, government, or government program” runs without the economic activity and tax revenue made available by oil and gas production. He could also have educated Mary about the environmental benefits of developing oil under the nation’s strictest regulations instead of importing it from countries with laxer environmental rules.

Despite the facts presented by Mayor Noerr, Mary and the activists still wanted to argue, claiming that Greenpeace only wants a “clean future.” Mayor Noerr firmly replied, “well, we have a clean community, we’re very proud of our community, and it’s safe, and it’s hard working, and it’s self-sustaining. Glad y’all came by to visit.”

All Californians want safe and clean communities, clean air and clean water. And the energy industry works closely with policymakers and regulators toward that goal. Let’s not forget that the nation’s most populous state met its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goals two years early while remaining a major oil and gas producer. Californians know that eliminating oil production in the world’s fifth largest economy is neither practical nor environmentally sound.

For a group that is often accused of inciting or participating in eco-terrorism, a blimp over an airport in southwestern Kern County is small potatoes for Greenpeace. Before launching its blimp, however, it’s a shame that the group didn’t take the time to educate itself about the economic and environmental benefits of Kern County oil production. You can watch Mayor Noerr’s entire conversation with the Greenpeace activists here:

Glad ya’ll came to visit Energy In Depth-California today!

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