The state’s oil-producing regions are dotted with oil wells that contribute to water and air pollution and threaten public health.

New funding from the federal infrastructure bill will help California seal the 5,356 abandoned oil wells littering the state, “polluting drinking water and leaking methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.” According to reporting by Olga Grigoryants, “Nearly $165 million will be available from the federal infrastructure law, which invests billions of dollars in roads, bridges and climate-related programs.” This is in addition to the $200 million proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom for the same issue.
“Officials with the California Geologic Energy Management Division, or CalGEM, which oversees plugging abandoned wells, said they are working to identify wells that pose the most health and safety risks to disadvantaged communities, to give them priority.” For example, “In Los Angeles, nearly 600,000 people live within just a half-mile of oil or gas wells, one of the highest concentration rates in the country.”
The article notes that “Earlier this year, the Los Angeles City Council took steps to phase out oil drilling and gas extraction in the city after voting in support of a ban on new oil wells,” with the county following suit. Meanwhile, “The state is moving toward banning drilling new oil and gas wells within 3,200 feet of schools, homes and hospitals.”
FULL STORY: Funding will help seal thousands of abandoned oil wells in Southern California and statewide

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US
A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.
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Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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