A total of 649 neighborhood drilling permits to upgrade, redrill, and retro-fit oil wells have been released by our state oil and gas regulator, CalGEM, since the start of the year—most of them in the in the month of March—and 389 of them (60%) are in the 3,200′ health buffer zone established by the landmark environmental justice law, SB 1137, stayed by the fossil fuel industry referendum.Please take two minutes now to call the Governor’s office and urge him to use his existing powers to roll out health buffers and end new approvals for oil drilling!
Call (916) 445-2841. You’ll hear some brief instructions. When his office answers or you reach voice mail, provide your name and region. You can use the script below:
“Hello my name is ____ and I’m a resident of _____. I’m disappointed to hear that the state’s oil regulators have just approved hundreds of oil permits near communities. I’m urging the Governor to rein in this rogue agency and protect our health and climate. The Governor can roll out health and safety buffer zones and stop oil and gas permits right now, and I’m urging him to do it. Thank you.”
Last Chance Alliance wrote in a March 17 press release:
“The rush on permits within the 3,200-foot setback zone comes after California’s oil industry spent millions to deceive voters on a referendum to overturn SB 1137. Petitioners stood outside gas stations and grocery stores across the state, spreading misinformation to collect signatures. In more progressive communities, signature gatherers claimed the referendum would end neighborhood drilling. With the fossil fuel industry-backed referendum qualifying for the November 2024 ballot, California’s landmark environmental justice bill and the vital protections it provides have been put on hold.
Across the state, industrial oil operations take place just feet from homes, schools and hospitals, increasing community risks of asthma, birth defects and cancer. More than 2 million people live within 3,200 feet of an operational oil well. California is one of the last oil producing states in the nation to allow oil drilling in neighborhoods.
According to FracTracker’s analysis of data from state oil regulator CalGEM, permits were issued within 3,200 feet of Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, Central Coast and Northern California communities.
Download a map of permit approvals within the 3,200’ health protective zone.
Members of Last Chance Alliance [including Sunflower Alliance] sent a letter to Gov. Newsom on Tuesday, 3/14, asking him to rescind the permits, stating: “CalGEM approved these permits without any environmental review of the serious harms that are likely to result from these dangerous operations.”
CalGEM issues rework permits to oil and gas operators who are modifying an existing well. Rework operations are significant sources of pollution that put frontline communities and sensitive individuals at elevated risk of health impacts.”
Please call Governor Newsom now!