California
Big Oil Fights New Environmental Law in California | The Regulatory Review
The oil and fuel business makes an attempt to quash a California legislation defending residents from extraction wells.
Earlier this fall, California Governor Gavin Newson signed into legislation environmental protections for California residents. Three days later, the oil and fuel business submitted to the state legal professional normal a proposed referendum that will reverse the brand new legislation.
In California, nearly 3 million residents reside inside 3,200 toes of an energetic oil and fuel nicely, and over 7 million residents reside inside one mile of a nicely. These residents are feeling the consequences. In learning the air pollution rising from wells, scientists have linked most cancers, bronchial asthma, and different long-term well being defects to residing close to wells.
To guard Californians from oil and fuel wells’ close-range impacts, the legislation will prohibit installment of recent wells inside 3,200 toes of homes, colleges, hospitals, and different delicate areas the place individuals collect. This well-setback portion of the legislation is ready to take impact in January 2023. As well as, the legislation would impose extra stringent controls on nicely operators—akin to requiring them to handle mud migration and submit a nicely “leak detection and response plan.”
However slightly than embrace the significance of complying with the brand new well-setback legislation, the oil and fuel business has tried to dam the legislation’s implementation by a referendum. To win approval so as to add this referendum on the statewide poll in 2024, challengers of the legislation might want to get hold of about 625,00 signatures.
The California Impartial Petroleum Affiliation wasted no time in submitting a proposed referendum quickly after Newsom signed the invoice into legislation. If the business succeeds in getting the required variety of signatures by December 15, 2022, the California Secretary of State will put the well-setback legislation on the 2024 poll. Then, Californians would vote on whether or not to maintain or overturn the nicely setback.
Even when the general public votes in favor of the nicely setback in 2024, the business can have not less than succeeded in stalling the legislation’s implementation if it does get hold of the requisite signatures. Beneath California legislation, statutes which are challenged through a referendum can not take impact till the final citizens votes to move it.
The oil and fuel business has already raised over $8.1 million to fund its referendum marketing campaign, which it has dubbed, “Cease the Power Shutdown.” The business claims that nicely setbacks will lower the state’s fossil gasoline provide, resulting in elevated reliance on out-of-state fossil fuels and elevated fuel costs.
As well as, the business alleges that the legislature handed the well-setback legislation “with none scientific foundation.”
In passing the legislation, nevertheless, the legislature famous that research reveal hostile well being impacts on populations positioned inside roughly 3,200 toes of oil and fuel wells. Furthermore, the Geologic Power Administration Division—the California company that regulates oil and fuel wells—sought specialists’ opinion on whether or not close by oil and fuel developments negatively influence residents. The specialists’ concluded with “a excessive stage of certainty” that oil and fuel improvement is related to well being defects.
Given methane leaks and discharges of hazardous particulate matter from wells, researchers have tied residing close to nicely operations with pre-term delivery and elevated cardiovascular dangers, amongst different hostile well being results.
However not all Californians will endure these well being results. Wealthier communities, such because the group of Palos Verdes, are uncovered to much less air pollution from oil and fuel operations. In distinction, poorer and non-white communities bear the brunt of oil and fuel operations’ impacts. As an example, the group of Wilmington—a principally non-white group—sits close to the Wilmington Oil Subject and suffers disproportionate air pollution.
Francisco Gonzales, a resident of California’s “oil nation” in Kern County, has reportedly defined that residing close to wells prompted him to accumulate allergy symptoms and bronchial asthma. Bakersfield, the biggest metropolis in Kern County, endures probably the most particulate matter air pollution within the nation, and roughly 70,000 residents have bronchial asthma. The childhood bronchial asthma fee in Bakersfield is thrice the California common.
In the meantime, one of many legislature’s functions in enacting the well-setback legislation was to remediate disproportionate impacts on environmentally weak communities. The legislature discovered that non-white communities are “most probably to reside in shut proximity to grease extraction actions.”
California Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Lengthy Seaside), the legislation’s sponsor, has described California oil and fuel operations as a “long-standing and obvious instance of environmental racism.” Regardless of the business’s efforts, Gonzalez is reportedly “optimistic that the referendum is not going to achieve success.”
This isn’t the primary time, nevertheless, that Massive Oil has used the referendum course of to overturn protecting environmental legal guidelines.
Earlier this yr, the oil and fuel business raised $8.2 million and efficiently overturned an initiative in Ventura County that will have tightened environmental oversight of decades-old fossil gasoline drilling permits. And in 2018, the business poured hundreds of thousands into the referendum course of to defeat a county-wide initiative in San Luis Obispo County that will have banned new oil and fuel extraction.
Environmental advocates in California have seen the business repeatedly use referenda and different ways to overturn environmental initiatives. Coalition coordinator of Voices in Solidarity In opposition to Oil in Neighborhoods, Kobi Naseck, has reportedly contended that the business’s referendum on nicely setbacks outlines a well-known story: “Massive Enterprise and their hundreds of thousands of {dollars} vs. public well being.”
Though the oil and fuel business has succeeded in overturning protecting environmental legal guidelines through the referendum course of prior to now, Senator Gonzalez reportedly said that the well-setback referendum will fail this time as a result of, “greater than ever earlier than, individuals consider in a carbon- and fossil-free future.”
In opposition to the backdrop of a rising public concern for local weather change, advocacy teams akin to Meals & Water Watch are already organizing towards the business’s marketing campaign to dam nicely setbacks.
Even when the business succeeds in getting sufficient signatures by December 15 to set off the referendum, the individuals of California can have the final vote on nicely setbacks—and present tendencies forecast that Massive Oil’s black mark on the Golden State is not going to depart a everlasting stain.
Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. Here’s what you need to know to start your weekend:
The best movies that capture the essence of California
The Essential California team this year expanded opportunities for readers to directly engage with the newsletter. Each week we ask readers to answer a question — from the best local restaurants to favorite books.
One question in particular got a lot of attention and sparked some debate: What is your favorite movie that captures the essence of California?
Below are the most mentioned movies and comments from readers about what makes these films special to California. We hope this list will help find something to watch this weekend. Enjoy!
“Chinatown”
Adelaide writes: “It doesn’t get more iconic than a film noir that tackles tremendous geopolitical issues that still affect us to this day.”
And Jim writes: “How can you talk about movies that capture the essence of California and not mention one of the greatest movies of all time, ‘Chinatown’? Today, despite the state’s beauty and glorious climate (most of the time), it is still as corrupt and morally bankrupt as it was back in the days of stealing water from the Owens Valley.”
Paul Giamatti, left, and Thomas Haden Church in the 2004 movie “Sideways,” directed by Alexander Payne.
(Searchlight Pictures)
“Sideways”
Raymond Ballesteros writes: “One of my all time favorite movies to see that truly captures the essence of California, hands down, is ‘Sideways.’
“Alexander Payne seizes the beauty and majesty of California’s Santa Barbara wine country, including a handful of wineries that encapsulates the hearts of fellow wine lovers across California and the country. Of course, not to be watched with a glass of Merlot!”
Keanu Reeves, left, and Patrick Swayze in the 1991 film “Point Break.”
(20th Century Fox)
“Point Break”
Fritzi Lareau write: “I am a tour guide and when touring the Golden State I show my guests ‘Point Break’ (the original with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze) or ‘Hollywood Homicide’ starring Harrison Ford.”
Edward James Olmos stars as Garfield High School math teacher Jaime Escalante in 1988’s “Stand and Deliver.”
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
“Stand and Deliver”
Robert Reul writes: “One great film that is 100% California is ‘Stand and Deliver,’ with Edward James Olmos and an amazing cast of young actors. I have found few, if any, films that capture the absolute magic that can happen in the community of first-generation Americans, descended from hard-working Mexican immigrants.”
Jeff Bridges as the title character in the Coen Brothers’ “The Big Lebowski.”
(Merrick Morton / Gramercy Pictures)
Honorable mentions
“Top Gun”
“The Birds”
“The Parent Trap”
“The Big Lebowski”
“Fast Times at Ridgemont High”
“La La Land”
Want to wade into the debate over which movie captures the essence of California? Feel free to email us at essentialcalifornia@latimes.com.
The week’s biggest stories
President-elect Donald Trump, shown at his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2023, is stocking his cabinet with Floridians.
(Evan Vucci / Associated Press)
Florida is winning the political battle with California as Trump takes office
- Trump is stocking his cabinet with Floridians. And his plans to reverse California’s policies on the environment, crime, homelessness and education are facing far less pushback than they did during his first term.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom has vowed to continue the fight against Trump’s policies but without what he called “a resistance brand” that defined his earlier clashes.
- Meanwhile, healthcare is Newsom’s biggest unfinished project. Trump complicates the governor’s task.
Destructive waves keep thrashing Santa Cruz, causing millions of dollars in damage in recent years
Scientists say we are fighting H5N1 bird flu with one hand tied behind our backs
- Scientists and health officials fear we’re on the precipice of another global pandemic as the H5N1 bird flu virus steamrolls its way across the globe. But when that could come to pass is hard to predict.
- Just one mutation can make the bird flu a threat to humans, California researchers found.
- L.A. County health officials are warning pet owners to avoid raw cat food after a feline died of bird flu.
California is growing again
- The Golden State’s population grew by almost a quarter of a million residents in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, a rebound that brings California almost back to its pre-pandemic numbers.
- While California’s population gain of 232,570 people from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, represents the largest numeric population increase in the nation’s West, it lagged behind Texas, which expanded its population by 562,941, and Florida, which grew by 467,347 people.
More big stories
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This week’s must reads
(Emiliano Ponzi / For The Times)
A California inmate recruited “wives” to spread fentanyl across Alaska, federal authorities say.
The prisoner, Heraclio Sanchez Rodriguez, oversaw a sprawling drug ring that spread death and addiction to the most remote corners of Alaska, prosecutors say.
More great reads
How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com.
For your weekend
Refresh yourself on “Squid Game” before starting Season 2 on Netflix.
(No Ju-han / Netflix)
Going out
Staying in
How well did you follow the news this week? Take our quiz.
(Times staff and wire photos)
Which creature gets top billing in the title of the Barry Jenkins–directed “Lion King” prequel that hit theaters last week? Plus nine other questions from our weekly news quiz.
Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team
Hunter Clauss, multiplatform editor
Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on latimes.com.
Winning $1.22B Mega Millions ticket sold in California
One Californian has plenty of dough to ring in the New Year after drawing the winning number. After three months without anyone winning the top prize, a ticket worth an estimated $1.22 billion was sold for the drawing Friday night.
One Californian has plenty of dough to ring in the New Year after drawing the winning number. After three months without anyone winning the top prize, a ticket worth an estimated $1.22 billion was sold for the drawing Friday night.
According to the California State Lottery, the jackpot ticket was sold in Cottonwood, within Shasta County limits. Two other 5 out of 5 winning tickets were sold in California; one in Roseville and another in San Bernardino.
The winner matched the white balls 3, 7, 37, 49, 55 and the gold Mega Ball 6. The identity of the winner was not immediately known.
The total amount of the Mega Millions jackpot would only be distributed to a winner who chooses an annuity paid over 29 years. Nearly all grand prize winners opt to take a cash payout, which for Friday night’s drawing is an estimated $549.7 million.
Despite the game’s long odds of 1 in 302.6 million, players continued to purchase tickets as the size of the grand prize grew. Until Friday, the last time a Mega Millions player hit the top prize was Sept. 10.
The largest-ever Mega Millions jackpot ticket worth $1.6 billion was sold in Florida in August 2023. Two prizes for its compatriot Powerball lottery have been larger.
Mega Millions and Powerball are sold in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is sold in Puerto Rico.
KTVU contributed to this report.
The State of California has confirmed that Social Security beneficiaries will receive an increase in their payments beginning December 30, 2024. This 2.5% increase is part of the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) applied across the United States for 2025. The COLA is based on inflation rates to ensure beneficiaries maintain their purchasing power.
The December 30, 2024 Payment
The first payment reflecting this increase will be for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Normally scheduled for January 1, this payment has been moved to December 30 due to the New Year’s Day holiday. This adjustment benefits millions in California and across the country, particularly those who rely on these funds for basic needs.
Types of Social Security Benefits
The Social Security program encompasses several types of benefits, all of which will see the 2.5% increase:
- Retirement Benefits: For individuals who have reached retirement age and contributed to the system during their working years.
- Disability Insurance (SSDI): For individuals unable to work due to a long-term disability.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): For low-income individuals, including seniors and people with disabilities.
- Survivor Benefits: Payments made to family members of deceased workers.
January 2025 Payment Schedule
Social Security payments are distributed based on the beneficiary’s birthdate. Here is the schedule for January 2025:
- January 3: Payments for those who receive benefits before May 1997 or who also receive SSI.
- January 8: Beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of the month.
- January 15: Beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th of the month.
- January 22: Beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st of the month.
The COLA increase will be reflected in all these payments.
Impact in California and Nationwide
California, home to more than 6 million Social Security beneficiaries, will see a significant impact from this adjustment. However, the increase is a nationwide policy benefiting over 70 million recipients across the United States.
This adjustment aims to ease the financial burden on Americans as they face rising living costs, reinforcing the commitment to support the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.
For more details about your payments, you can visit the official Social Security Administration (SSA) website.
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