local
The East LA oil spill was much worse than we thought
By Andrew Lopez | Boyle Heights Beat at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 24, 2026
· 3 min read
Crews clean the scene along Cesar E. Chavez and Eastern avenues, where gallons of crude oil spilled onto the street. (Andrew Lopez / Boyle Heights Beat)This story first appeared on The LA Local.Three companies were issued notices of violation from the South Coast Air Quality Management District...
Key takeaway Approximately 25,000 gallons of crude oil were spilled during the May 22 drilling incident, according to L.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The revelation that the East LA oil spill was nearly 10 times larger than initially reported has significant implications for the community. The fact that approximately 25,000 gallons of crude oil spilled into the streets and storm drains, ultimately affecting the LA River, raises concerns about the long-term environmental and health impacts on nearby residents. The Maravilla Community Advisory Committee's call for a community town hall and greater access to environmental testing results, public health guidance, and cleanup updates is a crucial step in ensuring transparency and accountability. As the South Coast Air Quality Management District continues to investigate and issue notices of violation, it is essential for local officials to prioritize the needs and concerns of the affected communities, including those surrounding Esteban E. Torres High School, where strong petroleum odors were reported. The community will be watching closely to see how the county responds to this environmental disaster.
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: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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What is this story about? Crews clean the scene along Cesar E. Chavez and Eastern avenues, where gallons of crude oil spilled onto the street. (Andrew Lopez / Boyle Heights Beat)This story first appeared on The LA Local.Three companies were issued notices of violation from the South Coast Air Quality Management District...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Andrew Lopez | Boyle Heights Beat at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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