After years of complaints by residents about how pollution from nearby drilling has caused them health issues, the Los Angeles City Council voted to ban new oil and gas drilling in the city over the next two decades.
The council voted 12-0 on Friday to approve an amendment to the city's code that will ban new mining and shut down existing operations in 20 years. One of the strongest environmental policies enacted in the state is the ban on new drilling and decommission of existing wells.
In the past, environmental legislation has spread to other parts of the country, such as cleaner emissions standards for cars in the 70s. New York state became the second state to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars.
There are more than 5,000 wells in the city. There are wells in all of the city, including West LA, South LA, and the Northwest San Fernando Valley.
The oil industry argues that LA will be more dependent on foreign energy if production is phased out. Within three to five years of shutting down production sites, the council will make oil companies accountable for adequately plugging and completing comprehensive site remediation.
The city is trying to figure out when oil companies will be able to recover their capital investments. The city could force operators to shut down production sooner if they are able to recover their investments before the 20-year time frame.
Half a million people live within a quarter mile of active wells that release harmful air pollutants. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by the health impacts of drill sites that are outside of parks, schools and houses.
Research shows that people who live close to drilling are more likely to have health problems. There is a link between living near drilling and weakened lung function and wheezing.
Stand LA, a coalition of environmental justice organizations, said in a statement that the decision signals that Black, Latinx and other communities of color will eventually breathe easier.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
