Demand Governor Newsom and California Oil Regulators Protect Public Health and Safety With a 2,500-foot Setback
Governor Gavin Newsom & CalGEM
As COVID-19 threatens the health of Californians, new research shows that communities living with long-term exposure to air pollution are particularly vulnerable to the most severe impacts of coronavirus. Now, more than ever, we need Governor Gavin Newsom to show public health leadership that addresses the health consequences of fossil fuel production in California’s frontline communities.
Over five million Californians live less than a mile from an active oil well—with low-income communities and communities of color facing disproportionate health and safety impacts from the air poll. For decades, frontline communities across California have been leading the fight against the toxic oil industry that pollutes their air and threatens their health. As a growing body of public health data reaffirms the health impacts experienced by frontline communities living near an oil and gas well, we must urge our elected leaders to show true leadership on climate justice and put public health and safety first.
TAKE ACTION to urge Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM), to establish rules to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of oil and gas extraction.
We need the Governor and the State of California to lead by phasing out oil production in places that are suffering most from the impacts of fossil fuel extraction by creating a 2,500-foot health-and-safety buffer zone between fossil-fuel infrastructure and homes, schools and other sensitive sites. Tell Governor Newsom and CalGEM that it’s time to protect health and safety—not oil industry interests!
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To:
Governor Gavin Newsom & CalGEM
From:
[Your Name]
In the midst of a global health crisis, public health research shows that communities who are exposed to air pollution are more vulnerable to the most severe consequences of COVID-19. Communities living with heavy air pollution from oil and gas production in their neighborhoods are still at-risk, as wells and refineries deemed “essential” continue to spew toxic emissions and particulate matter into their air.
It has never been more clear that environmental justice and public health go hand-in-hand. At a time when Californians need strong, healthy lungs the most, Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) must establish rules to protect public health from the impacts of oil and gas extraction.
I urge Governor Newsom and CalGEM to phase out oil production in exposed communities by creating a 2,500-foot health and safety buffer zone between fossil fuel infrastructure and homes, schools and other sensitive sites.