California Issues Hundreds of Neighborhood Oil Drilling Permits in Blow to Environmental Justice March 17, 2023

Oil Change International

“It is bad enough that Big Oil rips off Californians at the pump and uses their record profits to fight public health measures. They spent 20 million dollars to put SB1137 on hold, a health protective law that prohibits drilling near schools, homes and hospitals. They may even succeed at reversing it in 2024. What is worse is how CalGEM, which is supposed to prioritize protecting public health, has issued hundreds of permits within the health protective zone since January. Officials at CalGEM know how harmful oil and gas drilling near schools, day care facilities and homes are, but they are issuing these permits that put children at risk of birth defects, cancer, lung disease and much more. This has to stop.”

Marjaneh Moini, MD, Board Member, Physicians for Social Responsibility