Los Angeles Battles Pollution and Phases Out Oil Wells

Los Angeles extends beyond Hollywood and Malibu.

In the lesser-known neighborhoods of the Californian city, film sets and beaches are but a distant dream. Instead, the skyline is dominated by oil wells and underground machinery extracting natural gas.

This issue goes beyond mere aesthetics, as citizens have been protesting for decades against the pollution that threatens their health. To tackle the problem, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a resolution on December 4, 2022, imposing a ban on the drilling of new oil and gas wells, with existing ones set to be gradually phased out over the next 20 years.

The fossil fuel industry played a significant role in the early development of Los Angeles, benefiting from easily accessible oil reserves and a clear distinction between production zones and residential areas. In 1890, when the city had a population of only 50,000 (now approximately 4 million), some of the most productive oil fields in the United States were discovered.

Although many of these fields have since depleted, several still remain in operation.