California Gov. Gavin Newsom late last week signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 1137, increasing the minimum distance required between oil and gas operations and public and private property. 

Beginning in 2023, oil and gas operators in California will not see requests to drill within 3,200 feet of a home, school, park, hospital or business open to the public, aka sensitive receptors, approved by California’s Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM). 

“We know now that two million Californians currently live within 3,200 feet of an existing oil well,” said state Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D) during the final legislative session on Aug. 31, during which the bill passed the floor. “Over 300,000 people in California are living within 600-700 feet of an existing well.

“This is...