On June 8, 2010, the voters of Carpinteria, California voted overwhelmingly (70.06 % voting No) to defeat Measure J.

Posing as a so-called "people's" initiative, Measure J was an attempt by Venoco, Inc. to bypass local city government review and oversight.  As the only donor to the pro side of the ballot measure, Venoco spent well over $600,000 – compared to $80,000 spent by Citizens CAP that was raised from hundreds of individuals – trying to convince the voters of our small town as to the benefits and safety of their proposed massive oil drilling Paredon Project and why Venoco should be allowed to bypass all the local rules and regulations everybody else in Carpinteria needs to follow.  The carefully researched talking points of the "No on Measure J" campaign combined with the national news arising from the BP catasphrophe in the gulf refuted Venoco's claims and validity of its ballot measure in the minds of most Carpinteria Voters.

If Venoco's Measure J had passed, this proposed Paredon Oil and Gas Development initiative would have:

ALLOWED Venoco Inc to bypass the City's Public Review process that protects public health & safety and preserves the character of our community and development of a massive oil drilling project in the City of Carpinteria adjacent to residential neighborhoods, Tar Pits Park and the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve.