The Center for Biological Diversity and a group of 26 scientists, including many university professors, urged California Gov. Jerry Brown to halt approvals of new fossil fuels projects in the state and commit to a plan to phase out the state’s reliance on oil and natural gas. In a letter dated July 12, the scientists called for Brown, a Democrat, to shut down 8,500 active oil and gas wells located within 2,500 feet of homes, schools and hospitals, among other things.