The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is calling for a series of reports to identify potential gaps in public safety related to oil drilling operations during a continued phase-out of such facilities in unincorporated areas.
Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who authored the motion, said on Tuesday, “The fossil fuel industry continues to use their strong financial and lobbying influence to undermine publicly supported protective policies that serve the public interest.”
Mitchell cited multiple studies and reports suggesting both short- and long-term health hazards for people living near oil drilling sites, including increased risks during pregnancy.
The sites also affect air quality for the nearby residents resulting in recurrent nausea, airway irritation, sore throats and headache, according to Azra Kattan, deputy director of the Health Protection Bureau.
Kattan also referenced research pointing to increased fatalities linked to such sites.
Mitchell’s motion requested a report within 90 days analyzing possible gaps in regulations to strengthen health and safety protections and public notification requirements in operations and maintenance activities.
A second report, due in 120 days, will recommend policy changes for the remediation and reuse of former oil sites. The report will also address timely cleanup, operator accountability, appropriate health and safety standards, and enforcement mechanisms.
Mitchell stated that although more than half the sites were located in her supervisorial district, the issue affected the entire county.
This map of the Inglewood Oil Field was created in 2016 by Wikipedia user Antandrus and is reproduced via the CC BY-SA 3.0 license.A third report, expected in 180 days, directs the county’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Department of Economic Opportunity to work with the Just Transition Task Force (JTTF) to develop recommendations for achieving a long-term shift away from fossil fuels and toward a clean energy economy.
The JTTF was set up in 2021 to ensure a “just” transition prioritizing equity, economic opportunity and community resilience. The Board of Supervisors voted that year to ban new gas and oil wells and phase out existing wells in unincorporated areas.
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said it was “unconscionable” to allow oil drilling operations to continue affecting public safety.
“Urban oil drilling is a public health issue. The health impacts particularly on communities of color are well documented and absolutely unacceptable,” Horvath said. “This is a clear and persistent environmental injustice.”
Several residents who live near drilling sites also spoke Tuesday in support during public comment.
Oil drilling and fracking in Southern California
Gov. Newsom signs 3 bills giving cities more power to restrict oil drilling, address idle wells Los Angeles moves toward closing down the West Pico Drill Site Residents near oil fields hope Newsom signs state bill that creates community safety buffer zone LA Public Health announces study into Inglewood Oil Field health impacts Nearly 100 million pounds of toxic chemicals used in oil wells near homes, schools, study says Study: Drilling may have caused deadly 1933 Long Beach quake LA County to inventory all oil fields in wake of safety issues raised over fracking Oil industry expert says fracking not linked to earthquakes despite opponents’ beliefs Anti-fracking protesters rally at Long Beach Civic Center Oil developers want to use controversial fracking method to tap California’s oil supplyRegina Martin, a long-term resident near the Inglewood Oil Field, described suffering from frequent headaches due to odors from the oil site. She said she once felt a scary jolt in her apartment during nearby fracking activity.
“I’ve been nervous about the possibility of spills or explosion,” Martin said. “I have spoken with countless fellow residents who have been harmed by the toxic operations at the (Inglewood Oil Field) and the ongoing health harms. The lack of information provided to residents like myself is unacceptable.”
Another resident, Alicia Rivera, said she has experienced firsthand the health effects cited in various studies and expressed concern about long-term impacts on children living near oil sites.
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