The long history of oil extraction in the nation's most populous county is entering its final chapter.
"Los Angeles County took the first steps toward winding down oil extraction in unincorporated areas, reports Dharna Noor of a decision by the County Board of Supervisors earlier this week. Unincorporated areas account for 65 percent of the county's land area.
The vote prohibits the permitting of new oil wells and launches a process to evaluate existing oil wells. "Currently, existing oil wells cannot legally be shuttered until owners recoup the costs of drilling, so the evaluation will determine if costs have been recouped for each site," explains Noor.
"The measure would also designate all existing oil and gas extraction activities as 'nonconforming' uses, which could allow county officials to revoke drilling permits."
The new law has the potential to shut down 1,600 wells, including the 1,000-acre Inglewood Oil Field—the largest urban oil field in the United States. "More than 1 million people live within a 5-mile (8-kilometer) radius of the field, including several neighborhoods that are mostly populated by people of color," according to Noor.
The article includes details about the environmental and public health risk of urban oil extraction—making the county's vote a historic environmental justice victory.
Additional coverage of the vote is available in a separate article by Drew Costley.
FULL STORY: The Beginning of the End of Oil Is Here for Los Angeles County
Lawsuit Challenges L.A. Oil Drilling Ban
Oil companies with operations in the city of Los Angeles are suing over an ordinance that seeks to phase out drilling within city limits due to public health and environmental concerns.
Los Angeles To Phase Out Oil Drilling
The city has banned new wells and will end all extraction within two decades.
Your Not-So-Friendly Neighborhood Oil Well
Much of California's oil and gas extraction takes place in residential neighborhoods, posing significant health risks to entire communities.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service