Jessica Gable, 352-514-2927, jessica.gable@sierraclub.org
LONG BEACH, CA – In a stunning reversal of a trend set by cities like Los Angeles and Culver City to phase out oil drilling, Long Beach’s City Council voted unanimously to extend neighborhood drilling and postpone a phaseout. The Council approved the “5 Year Program” for oil drilling, which contains higher production rates than the previous five year program, projected to emit more than 12 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over that period.
This program also assumes that SB 1137, the community health protection law, will not take effect and that oil permitting in the health buffer zones will continue until 2028. The plans include redrilling wells to minimize the loss of productivity and “enhanced oil recovery” methods — a far cry from the 2035 “phaseout” that Long Beach has scheduled.
Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, Sunrise Long Beach and other environmental and climate groups spoke out against the plan and submitted a letter, asking for the City to develop a five year phase out plan and ban new oil drilling within 3,200 feet to protect public safety.
While the cities of LA and Culver City, and the County of LA have recently voted to expedite a phase out of all oil drilling within their jurisdiction, Long Beach remains a stronghold for oil and gas production. Last year, the Long Beach Sustainable City Commission voted to phase out and ban new drilling, but City staff kept the proposal from a full vote at the Council.
“Long Beach has no plan to phase out and clean up their oil wells, many of which are owned by the City. And while City staff often talk about the financial impacts of phasing out oil drilling, they haven’t accounted for the public health and climate impacts,” said Nicole Levin, a campaigner with Sierra Club. “We know from science and experience that both of these costs will be exponential.”
“Unfortunately, the approved five year plan shows none of the climate commitment Long Beach has given lip service to in the past,” said Brady Bradshaw, a senior oceans campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Continuing to build infrastructure and ramp up oil production on the Long Beach Unit further endangers the climate and continues to sacrifice the health of residents. The city’s decaying 1960s offshore drilling infrastructure could also cause the next major oil spill any day. If the city council were serious about climate action, they would find a way to phase oil out completely and support health and safety buffer zones.”
From Kenni Swan, Sunrise Movement Long Beach: “We shouldn’t have to fight for our future, for clean air, clean soil, parks and school funding instead of oil drilling and surveillance. And yet, we do. It is unacceptable that our elected officials continue business as usual instead of prioritizing our public health. And as the climate crisis continues to worsen, we will continue to demand climate justice.”
“To protect residents and workers in homes, schools, childcare centers, and medical facilities from environmental health hazards of oil operations, the LBU Annual Plan should not include any development of wells within the 3,200-foot health protection zone as defined in SB 1137,” said Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-69).
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.