Smug Arnold Schwarzenegger Reminds Oil Companies of What Happened in 2010: “This Is Going to Be a Repeat”

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Governor of California, answered the call of Gov. Newsom and Jane Fonda. The 76-year-old bodybuilding icon wrapped up a successful edition of the Arnold Sports Festival in the UK and joined Newsom, Fonda, and other environment activists at Ladera Heights soccer field. There he reminded the oil corporations what happened when they challenged environment-friendly laws in 2010.

The bodybuilding icon stood at the venue neighboring the largest urban oil field in America, the Inglewood Oil Field. While speaking to reporters, Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke about the intentions of the oil companies. The Terminator explained they won’t be successful in their push to dismiss Senate Bill 1137, and it’ll be a sequel to the 2010 proceedings.

 “They said (in 2010)… let’s undo all the environmental laws in California and we beat them badly,” Arnold Schwarzenegger told the media. “It was 62 to 38. So I mean, this is going to be a repeat. It’s literally a sequel,” said the 76-year-old bodybuilding legend. In 2010, Arnie was nearing the end of his second and final term as the 38th Governor of California.

However, despite leaving politics, Schwarzenegger has joined the crusade against the multi-billion dollar industry that wants Bill 1137 repealed. The bill Gavin Newsom signed into law in 2022 prevents oil companies from drilling for oil within 3,200 ft of homes, schools, hospitals, and parks.

However, Rock Zierman, CEO of the California Independent Petroleum Association, explained why they challenged the law. The CEO said that Senate Bill 1137 doesn’t just block new drill sights but also doesn’t permit maintenance of existing drill sights that fall within the 3,200 ft limit. He argued that this might lead to increased imports from countries like China.

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However, Arnold Schwarzenegger seems confident that despite their efforts the oil corporation will lose again. Yet, is his confidence misplaced?

Did Arnold Schwarzenegger predict correctly?

Arnold Schwarzenegger is confident. However, the Californian oil industry spent $20 million to collect signatures, putting the law on the upcoming November ballot. The Los Angeles Times reported that according to state election data, the referendum has evolved into one the most expensive so far.

The report also highlighted that there are 100,000 unplugged oil reserves in California. 30,000 sights fall under the 3,200 ft limit and will affect 2.7 million Californians. However, it’s unlikely that the oil industry will back down after spending $20 million to attempt and dismiss the law. Only time will tell if Arnold Schwarzenegger made the right prediction.

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