New Neighborhood Drilling Permits Issued While California Fails to Act on Public Health Rules

Since December 31, 2020, California regulators have repetitively failed to deliver new public health rules to protect Frontline communities from the significant health risks associated with living near oil and gas drilling and extraction operations. In light of nearly ten years of inaction to address hazardous oil and gas sites, grassroots groups and Frontline communities are calling for an immediate moratorium on all new permitting within 2,500 feet of sensitive sites, at least until the regulatory process is complete.

Permitting data from the California Department of Geological Energy Management (CalGEM) shows that during this regulatory delay, more permitting of neighborhood drilling has occurred in California Frontline communities.

New drilling sites permitted in California within 2,500 feet of sensitive sites since January 1, 2021

The map below shows the 42 new drilling sites permitted within 2,500 feet of a home, school, healthcare facility, daycare, or prison, just since January 1, 2021. CalGEM issued an additional 85 rework permits in this setback zone, to fix and renew—rather than plug—leaky, aging wells. Data sources are listed at the end of this article.

Updated 7/14/2021

References & Where to Learn More

• CalGEM Weekly permit updates, data downloaded 7/14/21

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