rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/tell-la-county-supervisors-no-drilling-where-were-living?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-tell-la-county-supervisors-no-drilling-where-were-living' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> SoCal 350 Climate Action https://actionnetwork.org/groups/socal-350 https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/letters/photos/000/123/401/normal/open-uri20200721-679-8z41oa Los Angeles County is updating its oil well ordinance for the first time in more than 40 years. The Oil Well Ordinance is an opportunity to bring us closer to the County’s goal of a just transition to a fossil-free Los Angeles County with better health for everyone. The proposed Oil Well Ordinance is a step backwards since it allows for more oil wells rather than fewer. Our Demands 1.       Phase out existing oil wells within 2,500 feet of our homes, schools, churches, parks, and other sensitive uses. Scientific studies link exposure to oil and gas drilling to increased cases of asthma, cancer, and preterm births. These damaging health impacts affect communities of color and low-income communities disproportionately since oil and gas operations are more likely to be located close to these communities. Oil wells within a 2,500 feet buffer zone need to be phased out over an amortization period. The wells should be plugged and the surrounding areas cleaned-up. 2.       Do not permit any new oil wells. In light of the LA County Sustainability Plan goal of a fossil-free LA, it does not make sense to permit any new oil wells. The Sustainability Plan published in 2019 states: “By eliminating fossil fuel production in the County, including drilling, extraction, and refining, the County will protect its residents from harmful local pollution that inequitably burdens workers, low-income communities, and communities of color.” 3.       Require oil operators to cover the costs of plugging and cleaning-up oil wells We know that thousands of wells in California have been abandoned by oil operators who walk away rather than pay the cost of plugging and remediating their drilling sites. Oil well operations must be properly bonded for the full cost of remediation. 4.       Use actual distance from sensitive uses, not zoning codes, to determine whether to allow existing oil wells to continue to operate. The proposed ordinance uses Zoning Codes to determine whether an area contains homes, schools, hospitals, churches, and other sensitive uses even though we know that the Zoning Codes often do not reflect actual land use. 5.       Follow state law by submitting the ordinance to CEQA review. Since oil drilling affects our environment, the ordinance clearly requires review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The environmental impacts of oil drilling include the emission of toxic pollutants affecting air, water, and soil quality. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-la-county-supervisors-no-drilling-where-were-living