Environmental Group Sues California Officials to Block Oil Well Permits Near Residential Homes

Environmental Group Sues California Officials to Block Oil Well Permits Near Residential Homes
Pump jacks and wells are seen in an oil field on the Monterey Shale formation where hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is used to extract gas and oil near McKittrick, Calif., on March 23, 2014. David McNew/Getty Images
Elizabeth Dowell
Updated:
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The Center for Biological Diversity sued California oil regulators for approving about two dozen new oil and gas wells in Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo counties close to homes, beaches, and important habitats, arguing Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration did not properly consider how the drilling would affect the environment.

The lawsuit was filed on Thursday and said the California Geologic Energy Management Division in December approved 15 new oil and gas wells in Long Beach and that state officials relied on an outdated environmental impact report that did not consider updated climate changes or any potential health hazards that could affect residents living in the area.

The Long Beach wells are within 3,200 feet of homes and community gathering sites, according to the documents.
That zone would be protected under a health-and-safety zone that Newsom signed into law last year.
Elizabeth Dowell
Elizabeth Dowell
Author
Elizabeth is a SoCal based reporter covering issues in Los Angeles and throughout the state for The Epoch Times. She is passionate about creating truthful and accurate stories for readers to connect with. When she’s not reporting, she enjoys writing poetry, playing basketball, embarking on new adventures and spending quality time with her family and friends.
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