The Regulatory Review. (2022, November 28). Big oil fights new environmental law in California. The Regulatory Review. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://www.theregreview.org/2022/11/30/khodor-big-oil-fights-new-environmental-law-in-california/ 

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared that oil and gas companies are not allowed to build new gas wells within 3,2000 feet of residential areas. This decision has come out due to the amount of air pollutants studied that have been, “linked [to] cancer, asthma, and other long-term health defects to living near wells.” In order to maintain operations, the oil and gas industry has proposed a referendum to the new law to allow wells to be built in order to protect local sourcing of fossil fuels. Funds have already been raised by these companies that exceed the millions, yet multiple campaigns have indicated that the people prefer Newsom’s pro-health anti-well stance.

 

The cost of creating gas wells and extracting natural gas causes more harm than good. Even if we are extracting local fossil fuels instead of depending on foreign imports, the health risks associated with it will mean that less people can even enjoy the resources obtained. Regulation like Newsom’s can only go so far when referendums are proposed and loopholes are found. Instead, I believe that more energy should be placed to find and capture renewable energy sources that are clean for both the environment and human health.