“Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Landmark Legislation to Protect Communities from Oil and Gas Pollution”
Governor Gavin Newsom signed three new bills into law at a press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, aimed at providing oversight of oil and gas wells and enhancing community protections. The legislation allows local communities in California to limit oil drilling activities while addressing pollution from “idle wells.”
The new laws are designed to protect the environment and public health while empowering communities to set better protections around fossil fuel activities in their neighborhoods. Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of prioritizing the health of communities and giving local leaders the authority to restrict dangerous oil and gas activities near homes, schools, and other sensitive areas.
One of the laws, AB 3233, gives smaller governments the power to regulate where and how oil and gas operations are conducted, allowing them to enforce bans on drilling sites. Another law, AB 1866, imposes stricter regulations on idle wells to prevent contamination of surrounding areas. The third law, AB 2716, targets the Inglewood Oil Field, the state’s largest urban oil field, to address pollution concerns raised by health officials.
Environmental advocacy groups have praised the new legislation as a crucial step towards regulating fossil fuel emissions and protecting communities from harmful health impacts. However, the California Department of Finance has raised concerns about potential litigation and enforcement costs, while oil and gas companies like the Western States Petroleum Association have criticized the bills.
Governor Newsom has been vocal about the need to address the climate crisis and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. His administration has implemented measures to phase out fossil-fuel powered vehicles and aims to make California carbon neutral by 2045. One of the new regulations requires companies operating low-producing oil wells near the Inglewood Oil Field to pay fines and close all wells by the end of 2030, with the funds going towards local projects like affordable housing and parks.
Overall, the new laws signed by Governor Newsom represent a significant step towards protecting communities from the impacts of oil and gas operations while promoting environmental sustainability in California.