L.A. being sued over oil well restrictions

In 2022, the City of Los Angeles passed a law that banned the installation of new oil wells within the city and significantly limited the upkeep of existing wells, with the ultimate goal of sunsetting drilling in L.A. altogether in the next 20 years.

KNX News' Craig Fiegner reports that the law is now being contested in court.

"It is my understanding that a judge has issued a tentative ruling to set aside that ordinance of the city and to say that it's invalid in some way," councilmember Tim McOsker said.

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McOsker said he has yet to read the decision but plans to meet with the city attorney to discuss the city's next steps. "My hope and desire is to appeal such a ruling," he said.

The city is also addressing the issue of idle oil wells left abandoned by their owners. L.A. is working to figure out how to cover the cost associated with removing them.

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