California proposes new oil drilling ban near neighborhoods

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California's oil and gas regulator on Thursday proposed that the state ban new oil drilling within 3,200 feet of schools, homes and hospitals to protect public health in what would be the nation's largest buffer zone between oil wells and communities.

It's the latest effort by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration to wind down oil production in California, aligning him with environmental advocates pushing to curb the effects of climate change and against the powerful oil industry in the nation's seventh-largest oil producing state.

Studies show living near a drilling site can elevate risks of birth defects, cancer, respiratory problems and other health issues. More than 2 million Californians live within 3,200 feet (975 meters) of oil drilling sites, primarily in Los Angeles County and the Central Valley. The proposal would not ban wells already operating in that zone but would add new pollution controls.

“Extracting oil is a dirty business and it's had a real impact on Californians," said Jared Blumenfeld, California’s secretary for environmental protection. “Often we frame it as it's about air pollution, it's about climate change; this is really about helping communities and community health near these facilities."

Newsom was expected to address the proposal later Thursday in Southern California. His administration briefed reporters Wednesday night, but did not immediately release the written rules. The rules are a draft that signal what the administration is seeking, but could be changed over a 60-day comment period.

This would be the first time California has set statewide rules on how close drilling can be to homes, schools and other sites. Other oil and gas producing states such as Colorado, Pennsylvania and even Texas have rules about how close oil wells can be to certain...