LOS ANGELES— Today, Los Angeles City Planning released a draft ordinance that would prohibit new oil and gas extraction, phase out existing extraction operations, and protect the public from the range of risks and hazards associated with oil and gas extraction.

“Oil drilling has long been a part of our past, but today, we’re sending a clear message: dirty energy production has no future in Los Angeles,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Earlier this year, I stood alongside fellow elected officials, activists, and community leaders to sign a directive to phase out oil and gas drilling in the City – and today, thanks to the tireless work of the Department of City Planning and City Attorney’s Office, we are one step closer to getting toxic fumes out of our frontline communities. I welcome Angelenos to play a role in shaping this ordinance and look forward to signing this once-in-a-lifetime legislation.”

Rather than imposing setback requirements, this ordinance goes further, with the end result of phasing out all oil and gas extraction activities in Los Angeles. This new citywide approach responds to Mayoral and Council direction and builds upon ongoing efforts by the Department to center issues of environmental justice, equity and sustainability through land use considerations.

“The stark realities of the past have led us to face systemic injustice,” stated Director of Planning Vince Bertoni. “Not only did we witness firsthand how the pandemic impacted underinvested communities, but we were reminded of the harsh consequences of climate change. To truly lead in the field of sustainability, we are putting an end to oil extraction next to homes, schools, and child care centers.”

In Los Angeles, there are 26 oil and gas fields and over 5,000 oil and gas wells—some active, others idle, and some abandoned.

“Communities of color have felt the impact of gas and oil drilling for decades – in their air, water, and overall health,” said Council President Nury Martinez. “Local climate change and environmental justice advocates have been working tirelessly with our Council to find solutions that would bring an end to drilling in Los Angeles and now, this goal is finally coming to fruition. As our country faces multiple public health emergencies and countless natural disasters due to climate change, this move cannot come soon enough for our city and our planet.”

City Planning, along with the Office of Petroleum and Natural Gas Administration and Safety, Department of Building and Safety, and Fire Department, are responsible for monitoring and enforcement of existing drill sites for the City.

“We can eliminate the public health and safety hazards associated with oil and gas extraction, protect impacted neighborhoods, and wean the local economy from its reliance on fossil fuels,” said Councilmember and Chair of the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee Paul Krekorian, who first introduced the motion designating all oil and gas production in the City of Los Angeles a nonconforming use. “This historic step promises long-awaited relief for hundreds of thousands of Angelenos whose neighborhoods have suffered for generations from toxic emissions near extraction sites.”

The Chair of the City Council’s Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice and River Committee Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell said, “This is a momentous step forward for Los Angeles, and a clear message we are sending to Big Oil. We have a moral imperative to ensure that all Angelenos, especially those living in underserved communities, have the right to a safe neighborhood and a healthy life.”

In the coming months, City Planning will facilitate public meetings with local stakeholders. Feedback collected at these hearings will inform the final ordinance that the Department will advance to Los Angeles’s City Planning Commission for a formal recommendation. A fact sheet containing frequently asked questions is available here.