LOS ANGELES, Nov. 27, 2024 — Sentinel Peak Resources, the operator of the Inglewood Oil Field, has filed a lawsuit challenging Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s AB 2716. This legislation mandates the closure of the field’s 800 wells by 2030.

Sentinel Peak contends the law unfairly targets the company for its long history of hazardous drilling in South Los Angeles and other areas.

Assemblymember Bryan stated, “Our community has fought for decades to shut down this hazardous, low-production oil field, and we will continue that fight in court to protect frontline communities who deserve healthy lives. Californians, through their legislature, have made it clear that dangerous oil wells have no place near residential areas. The government has a responsibility to protect its citizens.”

Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog and a sponsor of AB 2716, explained, “The legislature focused on low-production wells in densely populated Los Angeles due to their environmental impact and minimal economic benefit to the state. Sentinel Peak can still develop the land, but they cannot continue to endanger the community with wells producing, on average, less than 3 barrels per day. The state has the right to regulate wells with significant environmental consequences and limited economic returns. Protecting the community is a compelling state interest.”

Introduced in February 2024, AB 2716 passed through four committees and both houses of the Legislature before Governor Gavin Newsom signed it into law on September 25 at Kenneth Hahn Soccer Field. This field is located less than 450 feet from an active, low-production oil well.

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog