Los Angeles City Council approves phaseout of oil drilling over 20 years

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to stop new oil and gas drilling and phase out production from existing wells over the next 20 years, the Los Angeles Times reported.

This ordinance affects about 600 active and 1,200 idle oil wells within city limits, prohibiting idle wells from resuming production and preventing expansion or deepening of existing wells, though routine maintenance is allowed.

The measure makes Los Angeles the largest U.S. city to commit to phasing out oil wells, pending approval from Mayor Karen Bass, who plans to sign the ordinance promptly according to her office.

Councilmember Traci Park emphasized the city's commitment to clean energy, noting the plan aligns with L.A.'s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035 and investments in renewables like wind and solar.

This ordinance revives a 2022 ban that was previously overturned by a judge after legal challenges from oil and gas companies, which argue the ban constitutes an illegal taking of property.

The ordinance designates all existing oil and gas activities as "nonconforming use," limiting their operation to the 20-year phaseout period and disallowing new drilling or expansion.