government
LA officials vote to phase out oil drilling within city limits — again
By Erin Stone at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
In the city of L.A., three-quarters of active oil wells are within a third of a mile of locations such as schools, homes and parks — including this pumpjack at a park in Wilmington.(Erin Stone / LAist)The Los Angeles City Council took a first step Tuesday to reinstate a law that bans new oil dril...
Key takeaway The city’s first attempt to pass such a law was in 2022, but oil companies sued and the city had to repeal it.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The city's renewed effort to phase out oil drilling within its limits has significant implications for the health and quality of life of Los Angeles residents, particularly those living in low-income and minority communities. With three-quarters of active oil wells situated near sensitive locations such as schools, homes, and parks, the risks of air and water pollution, as well as related health problems, are disproportionately borne by these neighborhoods. The city's move to reinstate the law banning new oil drilling and requiring existing wells to be phased out over the next two decades is a crucial step towards mitigating these risks. As the city council prepares to vote again later this summer, it will be important to watch how the oil industry's legal challenges are addressed, and how the city plans to support communities that have been impacted by oil drilling for decades.
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: government ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? In the city of L.A., three-quarters of active oil wells are within a third of a mile of locations such as schools, homes and parks — including this pumpjack at a park in Wilmington.(Erin Stone / LAist)The Los Angeles City Council took a first step Tuesday to reinstate a law that bans new oil dril...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 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 government coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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