Gov. Gavin Newsom [Sept.30] signed a law that will give oil and gas companies several extra years before they begin detecting and fixing wells near homes and schools that leak into the air and water. Companies won’t have to monitor their oil and gas wells within 3,200 feet of California’s residential areas for leaks until July 2030 — three and a half years later than the deadline that Newsom and the Legislature set in law two years ago. … More than 2.5 million Californians — including many in Long Beach, Los Angeles and Kern County — live within 3,200 feet of an oil or gas well, predominantly in low-income communities of color. Oil wells can leak dangerous contaminants into the air and groundwater, and research has linked an array of health effects, including a higher incidence of premature and low birthweight babies, to people’s proximity to wells.  

Other environment and water legislation articles:

• Los Angeles Times: Newsom signs bill to ban ‘forever chemicals’ in tampons, pads
• Los Angeles Times: Column: Newsom wants Californians to help on climate. He should help too