Los Angeles approves ban on oil production after years-long fight

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Set us as preferred After a years-long battle, the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved a plan to end oil drilling and pumping within city limits once and for all.The Council voted unanimously on the ordinance, which halts new oil and gas drilling in the city and phases out existing production over the next 20 years.The ordinance applies to some 600 active and 1,200 idle oil wells, meaning the ones that are idle cannot be brought back into production.

Energy companies argue the action is an illegal taking of their property.It makes L.A.the largest city in the United States to phase out existing oil wells, subject to approval by Mayor Karen Bass.

Officials with the Mayor’s office said she intends to sign the ordinance as soon as possible.“This isn’t a debate about whether fossil fuels are good or bad,” councilmember Traci Park said during Wednesday’s meeting, noting that the city has already committed to 100% clean electricity by 2035 and is investing heavily in renewables such as wind and solar.

“That’s why it makes sense to stop new drilling, to stop certain expansion, and to phase out existing operations.It’s long past due.” Climate & Environment The L.A.

City Council attempted to phase out oil production in 2022, but the ordinance was struck down by a judge following legal challenges from the oil and gas industry.The ordinance declares all existing oil and gas activities as “nonconforming use,” meaning they can only operate during the 20-year phaseout period and are no longer compliant with current zoning.Existing wells cannot be re-drilled, deepened or expanded, though routine servicing and maintenance are allowed.The action revives a landmark ban originally passed by the City Council in 2022, which was later derailed by a lawsuit from oil and gas producers in the area.

The effort wa...