The Los Angeles City Council voted 14-0 on Tuesday to advance a plan that would phase out oil drilling across the city. The proposed ordinance directs the city attorney to prohibit new oil and gas extraction and classify existing operations as nonconforming uses, following new state-level legal authorities that grant cities broader regulatory power.
Why is the Los Angeles City Council targeting urban oil wells?
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, who led the measure, cited significant public health concerns as the primary driver for the vote. According to Yaroslavsky, more than 500,000 Los Angeles residents live within a quarter mile of an active oil well.
In a statement to The California Post, Yaroslavsky linked proximity to drilling sites to specific health outcomes. She noted that residents in these areas face higher rates of asthma, increased use of oxygen tanks among seniors, and higher risks of preterm labor for pregnant women.
The council’s action aims to address these health issues by moving toward a complete elimination of urban drilling. The current plan does not shut down operations immediately but establishes a legal framework to prevent new wells from opening and to phase out existing ones.
Los Angeles currently has more than 2,000 active oil wells. Many of these sites are located near residential neighborhoods, schools, parks, and places of worship, according to city officials.
How does this differ from the 2022 drilling ban attempt?
The Tuesday vote represents a strategic shift in how the city approaches oil regulation. In 2022, Los Angeles attempted a similar citywide phase-out, but the effort was halted by the courts.
During that previous attempt, oil companies—including Warren Resources, E&B Natural Resources Management Corp., and Hillcrest Beverly Oil Corp.—challenged the measure. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge eventually ruled against the city, stating the municipality had failed to adequately review the impacts of the ban.
The current legislative push succeeds where the 2022 attempt failed due to a change in state law. In 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3233. Authored by Assemblymember Dawn Addis, this legislation provides cities and counties with expanded authority to regulate, limit, or prohibit oil and gas activities within their jurisdictions.
Yaroslavsky stated that this new legal landscape makes the city’s authority “unequivocal,” providing a clear path to revisit the drilling ban without the same legal vulnerabilities faced two years ago.
What are the potential impacts on energy and gas prices?
The move to restrict local production has met resistance from industry groups concerned about energy stability. Critics argue that limiting the supply of locally produced crude oil will increase California’s reliance on imported oil.
Industry representatives have warned that these restrictions could contribute to higher gas prices for consumers. This warning comes at a time when many residents are already experiencing anxiety regarding fluctuating fuel costs.
Councilwoman Yaroslavsky addressed these concerns by suggesting that oil companies prioritize price-related fears over community health. She told colleagues that companies would “rather scare people about gas prices than answer for why their operations are making communities sick.”
The outcome of this ordinance will set a precedent for how other major California cities handle the tension between local environmental health mandates and state-wide energy supply requirements.
What is the next step for the proposed ordinance?
The City Council has approved the environmental findings associated with the proposal. The City Attorney is now tasked with drafting the formal ordinance based on the council’s direction.
Under the proposed rules, any new oil and gas extraction would be prohibited throughout the city. Existing wells would be classified as “nonconforming uses,” a zoning designation that allows them to continue for a period but prevents them from expanding or being rebuilt if they cease operation.
The ordinance is expected to return to the Los Angeles City Council for a final vote later this summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the oil wells in Los Angeles close immediately?
No. The ordinance begins a process to phase out existing operations rather than forcing an immediate shutdown of all 2,000+ active wells.
Is the city legally allowed to ban drilling?
Yes, according to council members. The 2024 signing of Assembly Bill 3233 by Governor Gavin Newsom granted cities and counties broader authority to regulate or prohibit oil and gas activities.
How many people are affected by proximity to oil wells?
According to Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, more than 500,000 Angelenos live within a quarter mile of an oil well.
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