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NewsLos Angeles MagazineOctober 29, 2026Los Angeles County

Los Angeles City Council Bans New Oil Wells and Sets 20-Year Phase-Out

Photo: Los Angeles Magazine

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a citywide ban on new oil wells on Wednesday, aiming to eliminate all existing wells within twenty years. The vote concludes a multi-decade advocacy effort and follows a 2022 state law that granted California cities the legal authority to prohibit oil drilling.

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Read the full story at Los Angeles Magazine

Why It Matters

Active oil extraction sites located near residential areas, schools, and hospitals are slated for permanent closure over a twenty-year timeline, altering land use and energy operations across Los Angeles.

Key Facts

  • The Los Angeles City Council voted 13-0 on Wednesday to ban new oil wells.
  • The policy establishes a 20-year timeline to eliminate all currently existing oil wells in the city.
  • Activists and community demonstrators gathered outside City Hall prior to the vote to support the measure.
  • Los Angeles initially attempted to phase out oil drilling in 2022, prompting a lawsuit from the oil company Warren Resources.
  • Warren Resources argued that only the state had the authority to enact such a policy, but a subsequent state law passed last year granted California cities the right to ban drilling.
  • Council members Katy Yaroslavsky, Heather Hutt, and Adrin Nazarian spoke publicly in favor of the ban.
  • Council member Adrin Nazarian stated that 759 active wells are located close to homes, churches, parks, and hospitals.

Who's Mentioned

locationCity Hall“Location where demonstrators gathered before the final vote.”PersonAdrin Nazarian“Council member who noted the proximity of active wells to homes and hospitals.”OrganizationLos Angeles City Council“Voted 13-0 to approve the ban on oil production.”OrganizationWarren Resources“An oil company that previously sued the city to overturn drilling phase-out moti”PersonHeather Hutt“Council member who spoke in favor of the ban at the rally.”locationLos Angeles“The municipality enacting the drilling ban.”PersonKaty Yaroslavsky“Council member who spoke in favor of the ban at the rally.”