LA pushes oil drilling shutdown despite industry warnings of lawsuits, gas price hikes

Los Angeles is pushing ahead with a sweeping 20-year shutdown of oil drilling across the city after the Council voted 13-0 Wednesday, despite warnings from oil companies of costly lawsuits, property rights violations and increased dependence on foreign oil. The vote marks another chapter in a nearly decade-long battle over drilling in Los Angeles, where more than 5,200 oil and gas wells, including active, idle and abandoned sites, have fueled concerns about pollution near homes and schools. 5 Los Angeles is moving ahead with a sweeping 20-year phaseout of oil drilling after the City Council voted 13-0 Wednesday.

Los Angeles Times via Getty Images E&B Natural Resources Management Corporation and three affiliated companies filed objections saying that the restrictions could force wells to close before the 20-year deadline by limiting maintenance and other operations. In a June 8 letter , attorneys representing the companies warned that the proposal could violate constitutional property protections and expose taxpayers to expensive litigation. 5 More than 5,200 oil and gas wells dot Los Angeles, including active, idle and abandoned sites, fueling concerns about pollution near homes and schools.

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“Why the LA City Council would want Angelenos to be more dependent on foreign oil tankers is nuts. Having to pay $1.72 more than any other state is not high enough? Imports are completely exempt from California’s environmental, labor, and human rights laws, California Independent Petroleum Association CEO Rock Zierman told the California Post. “This will lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions, higher gas prices, fewer jobs, and fewer taxes for vital services … We will fight this illegal action in court again, Zierman added.

“Studies have shown there are much higher emissions from city run landfills and water treatment facilities than oil and gas operations.” 5 Los Angeles oil producers are fighting back against the city’s drilling crackdown, warning that new restrictions could force wells to close years before the 20-year deadline. David Buchan for Ca Post Los Angeles approved its original drilling ban in December 2022, only to face lawsuits from oil companies.

A judge struck down the ordinance in September 2024, forcing the city to repeal it in 2025. But state lawmakers handed Los Angeles another opening, passing a law that strengthened local governments’ authority to regulate oil drilling. Now city leaders are bracing for another courtroom showdown. “We know we’re going to get sued,” Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky warned Wednesday, stressing that the city had spent substantial resources building a stronger environmental and legal case. 5 A drone’s eye view shows oil rigs in Windsor Hills in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Yaroslavsky defended the crackdown as an urgent public health measure, arguing that zoning laws should protect residents from harmful industrial operations. Councilwoman Traci Park also backed the restrictions, saying oil wells don’t belong in residential neighborhoods. “They’re bad for the environment, and they make people sick,” Park told colleagues. 5 The unanimous vote included an order to move the measure forward immediately David Buchan for Ca Post Los Angeles produced approximately 1.6 million barrels of crude oil in 2024, accounting for just 1.4% of California’s total production, according to city planning documents.

Wednesday’s council agenda also included a federal lawsuit filed by Nasco Petroleum challenging the city’s earlier oil drilling ordinance. The unanimous vote included an order to move the measure forward immediately.