Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law giving oil companies extra time to detect and fix leaks near residential areas, pushing the deadline to 2030.
In short:
- Oil companies now have until July 2030 to detect and fix leaks in wells located near homes and schools.
- The delay was requested not by industry but by the Newsom administration, in order to give regulators more time to hire staff and develop policies.
- Over 2.5 million Californians live near oil wells that pose risks of air and groundwater contamination.
Key quote:
“The delay is extremely troubling and will force frontline communities to wait longer for much-needed pollution protections.”
— Hollin Kretzmann, attorney at the Climate Law Institute
Why this matters:
Living near oil wells has been linked to serious health issues, such as low birth weights. This delay prolongs exposure to potentially dangerous contaminants, particularly affecting low-income communities near wells.
Related: Gov. Newsom vetoes California bill to increase refinery air monitoring
