Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) traveled to Baldwin Hills to sign legislation restricting oil and gas facilities and dismantling pumping units behind him, ending a century of oil and industry's role in the region. [emphasis, links added]
AB 2716 would close the Baldwin Hills oil facility, which existed before the surrounding area was developed for residential use but is now located within Los Angeles' most prominent middle-class black neighborhood.
AB 3233 Local authorities will be given more power to ban oil and gas drilling. AB 1866 would expand existing laws and Increase and accelerate penalties for uncapped idle wells in existing oil and gas production facilities.
Earlier this year, the oil industry abandoned its efforts to put a referendum on the 2024 ballot to overturn SB 1137, a 2022 bill that would have created buffer zones around schools and homes to limit oil and gas exploration and development.
Newsom was surrounded by community leaders and activists, including a doctor who said living near oil and gas facilities has caused health problems, and they were looking forward to wiping out the “dinosaurs” on the pumps.
In his speech, Newsom slams oil and gas industry, accuses it of 'price gouging' —California Vice President Kamala Harris used the phrase in her economic proposals to combat inflation across the country.
“They're ripping you off,” Newsom said. “They keep extorting. They keep taking advantage of you. … They lie to you. … They are at the heart of the pollution of this climate crisis. … This time, we will not fall prey to these lies.
The oil and gas industry has responded to such claims in the past: It's California's regulatory environment, not the industry, that's driving high prices. But Newsom rejected that rebuttal.
He noted that the California Legislature will meet on Thursday to discuss the state's high gas prices. (Newsom has used such meetings before but never reconsidered the state's gas tax, regulations or cap-and-trade system.
When asked by Breitbart News about the economic impact of closing the Baldwin Hills production facility, particularly on jobs, the governor dodged the question.
Generally, though, he said, employees who operate oil and gas wells will be responsible for plugging idle wells. He also said the state was creating jobs in the “clean energy” sector.
When asked by Breitbart News whether the fossil fuel industry had a future in the state, Newsom responded: “If they clean up their act.”
He said the state can look forward to a “brighter, cleaner and greener future” using renewable energy.
Read Breitbart's “Break”
