Judge strikes down L.A. oil drilling ban

A judge has ruled that the state, not the city of Los Angeles, has authority over drilling operations, striking down a local law aimed at phasing out oil production.

Two years ago, the L.A. City Council approved a ban on new oil and gas extraction and ordered all operations to stop within 20 years.

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The ruling by L.A. County Superior Court Judge Curtis A. Kin cited a California Supreme Court decision that state regulations override local bans, invalidating the law.

The decision could be a moot point if Gov. Gavin Newsom signs a bill that would allow local governments to regulate oil drilling, which recently passed the state legislature.

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