parks
After more than a decade of community resistance, a South LA oil drilling site could be shut down
Summary by The Los Angeles Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Erin Stone , LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 22, 2026
· 12 min read
Catalina and Genaro Ventura sit on their porch, with dog Yogi, in Jefferson Park. They've lived near the Murphy oil drilling site for more than 25 years. (Erin Stone / LAist) Genaro and Catalina Ventura moved to the South L.A. neighborhood of Jefferson Park more than 25 years ago. The Craftsman-s...
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Summary created by The Los Angeles Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Erin Stone, LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway They've lived near the Murphy oil drilling site for more than 25 years.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The potential shutdown of the Murphy oil drilling site in South LA's Jefferson Park neighborhood has significant implications for the community's health and quality of life. For decades, residents like the Venturas have endured the negative effects of air pollution from the site, including cancer diagnoses and respiratory problems like asthma. The city's consideration of revoking the site's operating license is a crucial step towards addressing these concerns. If the site is shut down, it could set a precedent for other neighborhoods in Los Angeles where oil drilling operations are located near residential areas. The impact would be felt not only in Jefferson Park but also in other communities where residents have been fighting for cleaner air and healthier living conditions. The upcoming hearing will be closely watched by community organizers and residents who have been advocating for the site's closure, and its outcome will be a key indicator of the city's commitment to prioritizing public health and environmental justice.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 12 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Catalina and Genaro Ventura sit on their porch, with dog Yogi, in Jefferson Park. They've lived near the Murphy oil drilling site for more than 25 years. (Erin Stone / LAist) Genaro and Catalina Ventura moved to the South L.A. neighborhood of Jefferson Park more than 25 years ago. The Craftsman-s...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Erin Stone at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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