SACRAMENTO, California — A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has struck down Los Angeles’ ban on oil drilling.
Judge Curtis Kin said in a decision dated Friday that the city’s ban, which took effect in January 2023, conflicts with state law that assigns the California Geologic Energy Management Division authority over drilling methods. Kin’s ruling cited a California Supreme Court ruling from last year that determined state law superseded a local drilling ban in Monterey County.
The decision spotlights tension between local and state drilling authority that the Legislature weighed in on two weeks ago when it passed Monterey County Assemblymember Dawn Addis’ A.B. 3233, which would give local governments authority to ban oil and gas operations.
Los Angeles’ ban covered new wells, redrills of existing wells and also phased out existing wells over time. It was challenged in court by oil companies E&B Natural Resources Management Corp., Warren E&P and subsidiaries.
