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.
“An oil company with a drilling operation in Wilmington filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the city of Los Angeles over a sweeping new law that will phase out oil production,” reports Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times.
“The city’s ban will lead to more oil imports, causing increased emissions from trucks and oil tankers that arrive to the L.A. area, according to the lawsuit. “The lawsuit contends the city’s actions are a violation of the California Environmental Quality Act, the city’s General Plan and the state and federal constitutions. The suit also questions the city’s analysis of the health impacts of conducting plugging and abandonment operations.” The company claims that “its operations are ‘100% electric’ and the emissions ‘are the equivalent of a physically much smaller fast-food restaurant with a drive thru.’”
A separate lawsuit alleging similar claims was filed by four other oil entities, Smith notes.
Environmental justice advocates praised the city’s plan to phase out oil production, citing evidence that oil operations near residential areas can cause cancer, asthma, and other health problems. The ordinance was adopted unanimously by the city council last month.
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