Sacramento-Environmental and health advocates in California and across the country applaud Governor Gavin Newsom's announcement that the Department of Environmental Protection's Geological Energy Management Division (CalGEM) has issued a proposal that would prohibit The construction of new wells and facilities within the 3,200-foot restricted zone-otherwise setbacks-comes from homes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other sensitive locations, as well as other safety measures. During his first term, Governor Newsom made California a leader in national efforts to phase out the use of fossil fuels, respond to the climate crisis, protect the environment, and support public health. The Governor has taken bold action to stop issuing new hydraulic fracturing permits by 2024, pushing the state to phase out oil exploration by 2045, and reducing the demand for oil by stopping the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.

The following are comments from environmental and public health advocates and state and local leaders on California’s initiatives to protect communities as it phases out fossil fuels:

Dr. Yasuko Fukuda, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics in California: "Living near oil and gas drilling increases the incidence of childhood asthma, cancer, birth defects, premature birth, and low birth weight. These health effects are disproportionately affected by low-income residents and low birth weights in California. Commitment by communities of color. The California Academy of Pediatrics (AAP-CA), which represents 3,500 pediatricians, commends the governor-and many frontline organizations and community groups that have been advocating frustration-for moving towards ending environmental racism and protecting health This extremely important step is for children throughout California."

Environmentalist and author Bill McKibben: "Governor. Gavin Newsom announced that, after years of promotion by environmental justice advocates, the state is ready to significantly restrict oil and gas drilling. The advocates are calling for a distance from home and school. Retreat at 2,500 feet; Newsom made them better and set a limit of 3,200 feet.... In many ways, California is the leading indicator here: the political influence of the oil industry has passed its peak and is now falling sharply. "

Gladys Limon, Executive Director of the California Environmental Justice League: "The Governor of California today released the draft health and safety oil frustration rules. It marks the beginning of the end of California's environmental racist fossil fuel heritage! No children should Live or go to school near deadly oil operations. Thank you, Governor Newsom!"

Brandon Dawson, Director of the Sierra Club of California: "The announcement of the 3,200-foot retreat distance is a huge first step towards protecting the health and safety of California’s frontline communities. We are delighted to see Governor Newsom’s recognition of oil and gas The industry has been polluting communities, and the government is taking concrete actions to protect Californians from further harm."

Jamie Court, chairman of the consumer watchdog agency, said: “After two years of campaigning, Gavin Newsom did the right thing yesterday by proposing a new rule that will Oil wells are parked within half a mile of homes, schools, or businesses. The 3,200-foot setback is the largest setback in the United States, after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently decided to close all oil wells in the county. A large amount of evidence suggests that living near oil wells can cause various health effects. Problems, and many of us are closer than we realize."

Ann Alexander, senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council: “This time, California is truly overwhelming. State regulators listened to the opinions of scientists and did not shy away from proposing the country’s largest The statewide setback request. This sends a message to the oil industry that it will no longer be spoiled. Governor Newsom and his team have demonstrated some real leadership skills through this proposal. This is to bring these communities and our state together. A great first step to completely liberate from the health and climate hazards caused by oil drilling."

Darryl Molina Sarmiento, Executive Director of Community Improvement Environment: "Today, California has taken a critical step in public health and the safety of our families and children. By creating a framework to end harmful oil drilling near communities, California is prioritizing the impact of harmful pollution. The largest front-line residents, while working to achieve a healthy and fair transition. In the next few months, we will continue to work with the Governor’s Office to ensure CalGEM’s final health and safety retrogression regulations provide for frontline communities affected by oil drilling Strong protection. The battle is not over. We need to gradually stop drilling operations in our communities and develop strong plans to protect workers and communities."

Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California: "Today, California has taken a big step towards cleaner air and safer communities. I commend Governor Gavin Newsom for taking bold action to ban schools, homes, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. New oil wells and facilities."

California State Senate President Tem Toni Atkins: "I commend Governor Newsom for his recent efforts to protect Californians and reduce the destructive effects of oil wells. This is a step forward. A critical step because we are committed to addressing the unfair impact of oil drilling on low-income areas and communities of color, and creating a safer environment for all."

State Senator Lena Gonzalez: "We are committed to clean the environment for our community. Thank you to the fierce EJ advocates for letting us get this far in California, and thank Governor Newsom for more oil drilling near our California home Say no."

Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi: "I thank Governor Newsom's government for making this historic announcement. Oil drilling nearby needs to be stopped. But the fighting is not over. We need to continue to work hard to protect the health of all Californians from oil well pollutants. harm"

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti: "Thanks to Governor Newsom for taking bold action to phase out fossil fuels in response to the climate crisis. Oil drilling has no place in Los Angeles. As the world prepares to gather together to participate in COP26 , Cities are leading the transition from fossil fuels, protecting our communities, and creating high-paying green jobs."

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn: "Our dependence on oil and gas is devastating for all of us, but no one suffers more than the family living near the drilling site. I Appreciate Governor Newsom’s move to ban new oil and gas wells near homes and schools. This is how we stand for our health and the environment. In Los Angeles County, we are phasing out oil and gas drilling in unincorporated areas. We have already New drilling sites are banned, and plans are being developed for how to transition workers to clean energy jobs. We don’t have to choose between work and community health. We can have both."

Los Angeles County Director Holly Mitchell: “I’m honored to support Governor Newsom’s announcement of the establishment of a 3,200-foot buffer zone between the oil field and the community. Thank you for supporting the voices of the California community against oil, and thank you for being a help to ensure that California becomes a climate Part of the Leader’s Advocate Alliance. We have come a long way, but there are still bolder steps to take."

State Oil and Gas Supervisor Uduak-Joe Ntuk: "We thank all our partners who worked closely with us to develop these proposed regulations to protect the health of the California community. To develop this detailed set of rules, we worked with a series of state agencies and an independent Team of public health experts to ensure a thorough analysis of relevant scientific and engineering practices.”

Laura Deehan, Director of the California Department of Environment: "For many years, we have known that oil drilling is dirty and dangerous; even "routine" operations can have a significant impact on health and safety. Oil and gas extraction Occurs very close to homes, schools, hospitals, and places of worship, leading to an increased risk of asthma, complications during pregnancy, and increased cancer risk. But with these new regulations, California will have the nation’s strongest at 3,200 feet Safe buffer zone."

Annie Leonard, Co-Executive Director of Greenpeace in the United States: "Governor Newsom’s important statement today opens the door to a better future for millions of Californians living near harmful oil and gas extraction. This success belongs to front-line communities and environmental justice groups, who have been begging our lawmakers to end dangerous neighborhood drilling for years."

Kassie Siegel, Director of the Climate Law Institute of the Center for Biodiversity: "Today, Governor Gavin Newsom demonstrated how health protection and climate goals go hand in hand. Entering #COP26Glasgow, we need more leaders like this to finally face the consequences of the fossil fuel industry. Climate, health and justice crisis."

Action Evergreen: "Dirty, dangerous fossil fuels are actually killing Americans and damaging our health-especially the most vulnerable among us. This is an important step towards a cleaner and healthier future. ."

Copyright © 2021 California