Santa Barbara County voters rejected Proposition P, a proposed ban on hydraulic fracturing and other “high intensity” oil and gas operations. Because of its likely impact on almost all well maintenance activity, the ban would have effectively shut down most oil and gas operations in the county.

The measure was rejected by an overwhelming 60% of voters Tuesday, Nov. 4.

The initiative was backed by a group called the Santa Barbara County Water Guardians.

Energy industry experts said Proposition P would have halted at least 90% of oil and gas operations in the county within five years.

They noted that, in addition to fracking, the proposition would have barred cyclic steam injection, along with construction of roads, pipelines or tanks “in support of” these methods. It would also have prohibited the granting of “discretionary permits” that are required not only for new wells but for routine maintenance and replacement of worn-out equipment.

The business community, along with newspapers including the Santa Barbara News Press, the Santa Maria Times, the Lompoc Record, the Santa Barbara Independent, and the Pacific Coast Business Times, recommended against the proposal.

They argued that it would result in the loss of over 1,000 jobs and $16 million in tax revenue to the country, and could expose the county to litigation from property owners who would lose income from mineral rights.