In a complicated turn of events, both the City and County of Los Angeles have found themselves embroiled in legal disputes as they seek to end local oil drilling operations.
Recently, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to repeal a 2022 law aimed at phasing out oil drilling over the next two decades.
This decision comes on the heels of a similar action by the County of Los Angeles, which also enacted a repeal earlier this month.
Both jurisdictions are facing legal challenges that have been initiated by oil companies, which argue that the phaseout rules violate state law.
One such lawsuit led to the rejection of the city’s original ordinance in late 2024, forcing city officials to navigate a complex legal landscape.
Interestingly, the repeal of the oil drilling phaseout is part of a larger strategy to align local regulations with a new state law that was enacted this year.
This law explicitly grants local governments the power to regulate oil drilling within their jurisdictions.
Los Angeles accounts for about 1.3% of California’s total oil production, a figure that has been steadily decreasing since the early 1980s.
Recent studies show that many of the oil companies operating in the City have already recouped their initial investments or are projected to do so soon.
Amortization studies conducted by independent contractors revealed that several well sites in densely populated areas could recover costs in as little as five years.
For instance, the Murphy drill site in South L.A. and the Warren E&P site in Wilmington have been particularly highlighted for their short-term profit recovery.
In contrast, some sites, such as those operated by California Resources Corporation in Wilmington, may take up to 40 years to see a return on investment.
The long time frames raise concerns over the ongoing health risks associated with living near oil drilling operations, which can lead to increased asthma rates, preterm births, and even cancer as documented by public health research.
Notably, approximately one-third of Los Angeles County residents reside within one mile of an active drilling rig, with communities of color disproportionately affected.
According to a 2017 UCLA survey, Black residents are 44% more likely to live near oil and gas operations, and Asian and Latino communities follow closely behind.
As the City prepares to introduce a new phaseout ordinance later this year, communities adjacent to drilling sites are urging for more immediate health and safety measures.
One focus of concern is the practice of “acid maintenance,” wherein oil companies use chemicals to dissolve mineral build-up in wells.
Though these companies claim that the chemicals predominantly consist of weak hydrochloric acid, many residents are apprehensive about the potential presence of more harmful substances.
Richard Parks, president of the nonprofit Redeemer Community Partnership and a longtime resident of South L.A., expressed deep concerns about the operation’s safety.
“Ambient fumes from this kind of work have burned the plants outside drill sites, raising alarms about their impact on our families,” Parks stated.
He noted that oil workers involved in acid maintenance wear extensive protective gear, whereas local residents lack adequate protection against potential exposure.
The Redeemer Community Partnership has previously succeeded in shutting down the nearby Jefferson drill site, purchasing the property with hopes of transforming it into a park and affordable housing.
At the Murphy site, residents are now supposed to receive mail notifications prior to acid maintenance activities.
However, Parks insists that this notification system is insufficient.
“The oil companies do not disclose what chemicals are used or their quantities, nor do they provide health information regarding those chemicals,” he stated, highlighting a significant communication gap.
Community protests have surged in recent weeks in response to scheduled acid maintenance operations, as residents advocate for halting this practice altogether.
A proposed motion by City Councilmembers Tim McOsker and Katy Yaroslavsky aimed to prohibit acid maintenance until a new phaseout ordinance could be adopted, with a focus on protecting local residents.
However, the city attorney advised against moving forward with the motion, citing the risk of costly litigation from the oil companies.
Consequently, acid maintenance activities in the city have increased in frequency since the repeal of the city’s oil ordinance in early 2024.
From October 2023 to September 2024, residents reported no acid maintenance activities, but the number spiked dramatically to 32 notices after the ordinance was overturned.
Councilmember Yaroslavsky noted that the city’s inability to mandate a review process for these operations is a direct consequence of legal challenges, leading to increased risk for residents.
“Terrifyingly, this situation highlights how vulnerable our communities are during this transitional period,” Yaroslavsky commented.
As the City gears up to reintroduce the oil phaseout ordinance, Parks advocates for urgent additional protections for local families.
He suggests enforcing existing acid maintenance codes, converting to electric equipment where feasible, and enclosing drill sites to mitigate risks.
“There are pressing health and safety issues related to neighborhood oil drilling that must be addressed immediately,” Parks asserted, emphasizing the need to safeguard the impacted communities during the ongoing phaseout process.
Local residents remain vigilant and active in their call for action, grappling with the long-term implications of oil extraction on their health and environment.
The outcome of the ongoing legal disputes and the future of oil drilling in Los Angeles will be pivotal in determining the city’s commitment to phasing out fossil fuel reliance.
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