Gov. Newsom signs SB 1137, creating a 3,200 safety buffer zone between oil wells and thousands of homes, schools and hospitals.
Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed a package of environmental bills, closely watched by communities in Southern California who live near the region’s extensive oil well fields. The new law prohibits new oil and gas wells, or major retrofitting of existing wells, within a new buffer zone of 3,200 feet between the wells and homes, schools, nursing homes and hospitals.
Newsom recently put his power behind the bill, including it this summer in his mix of proposed bills to fight climate change. An effort in 2019 by South Bay Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, died in Sacramento while several other states went the other direction and created buffer safety zones in recent years.
As in 2019, the proposed buffer zone legislation this year was fought hard by the oil and gas industry, some major business groups such as the state Chamber of Commerce, and powerful trade unions who called it a job killer. In Los Angeles County nearly 1.89 million residents live near oil and gas operations — one of several California countries that produce large volumes of oil. The other impacted counties include Kern, Ventura, Orange, and Santa Barbara, according to an analysis by the non-profit FracTracker Alliance.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Law Requiring Social Media Companies to Consider Children’s HealthSocial-media companies that operate in California, including TikTok, Facebook and Twitter, will have to consider the health and well-being of children under a first-of-its-kind bill signed into law by Gov. Newsom
Read more »
California Gov. Newsom signs children's online protection bill into lawCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed bipartisan legislation that in part requires online platforms and services, including social media companies, to implement digital safeguards to protect users under 18.
Read more »
Gov. Newsom signs first bill to regulate dog trainersThe first law ever to regulate dog trainers requires them to disclose any criminal convictions or civil judgments related to their business.
Read more »
Gov. Newsom signs aggressive climate measures during Bay Area visitThe governor laid out some of the details of the $54 billion climate investment included in this year's budget.
Read more »
Gov. Gavin Newsom on the 2022 election, electric cars, immigration, housing and moreGov. Gavin Newsom met with The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board ahead of the Nov. 8, 2022 general election.
Read more »
WATCH TODAY: Gov. Newsom to sign aggressive climate measures during Bay Area visitThe governor is expected to lay out some of the details of the $54 billion climate investment included in this year's budget.
Read more »