#United States #California #Los Angeles #Climate Change #Oil Drilling

Overview of Oil Well Permits

In the first quarter of 2025, California’s oil and gas regulators approved merely three new drilling permits, a significant decline compared to previous years. According to the latest analysis from Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker Alliance, this current number represents a staggering 99.6% decrease from 2019 levels. As California strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect public health, particularly in vulnerable communities, this trend indicates a substantial shift in the state’s approach to oil drilling.

The Kern County Situation

However, caution is advised as developments in Kern County could undermine these gains. Known as the state’s oil drilling stronghold, Kern County intends to resume issuing thousands of drilling permits using a streamlined, blanket environmental review, bypassing the individual assessments required for each site. Previously, California courts have invalidated this method due to its failure to adequately address crucial environmental factors, including air and water quality and potential health risks. The Planning Commission of Kern County will review this controversial plan in June, with the final decision to rest with the County Board of Supervisors later this summer.

Kyle Ferrar, Western Director of FracTracker Alliance, expressed concern over Kern’s proposal, labeling it a direct threat to public health and emphasizing the necessity of rigorous environmental evaluations before any permits can be approved.

Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Legislation

In addition to the permit issues, California legislators are pushing two bills, CA AB 881 and CA SB 614, aimed at lifting the moratorium on carbon dioxide pipelines. These projects, linked to carbon capture and storage initiatives, are controversial because they involve transporting and burying carbon emissions underground, which many critics argue is both risky and unproven.

Liza Tucker, a consumer advocate from Consumer Watchdog, warned that these pipelines would serve as a “gift to oil companies” attempting to mask their environmental impact. She highlighted the danger of pipeline leaks, which can pose serious threats to nearby residents, referencing a 2021 incident in Mississippi that resulted in hospitalization and long-term disabilities for affected individuals. Tucker strongly advocates for maintaining the current moratorium on CO₂ pipelines until comprehensive federal safety standards are established and state-specific protections are enacted.

Lobbying Efforts and Climate Gains at Stake

Despite the slow pace of new permit approvals, major oil companies, including Chevron and California Resources Corp (CRC), are lobbying vigorously to pass the aforementioned legislation, spending millions on lobbying efforts in just the first quarter of 2025. This intense pressure raises concerns about the potential for increased emissions and environmental degradation should loopholes like Kern County’s expedited review process be accepted.

Since Governor Gavin Newsom took office, his administration has approved over 17,000 drilling and rework permits. Nonetheless, the current rate of rework permits has increased, illustrating that although new well approvals might be low, the activity surrounding existing wells remains high, complicating the state's emissions reduction strategy.

Conclusion

The future of California’s climate progress hinges on how these developments unfold. With new drilling permits at an all-time low, the trend could signify meaningful climate change initiatives. However, if Kern County and state legislators move forward with circumventing necessary environmental assessments and approving carbon dioxide pipelines, the state may find itself faced with an influx of new oil projects that could jeopardize public health and undermine years of progress in emissions reduction. As the situation evolves, all eyes are on California to see if it will maintain its commitment to a greener future or succumb to industry pressures.