In Signal Hill, an enclave city surrounded by the much larger city of Long Beach, there’s a plaque marking the discovery of oil (lots of it) in the area — on June 23, 1921, the Shell Oil Company’s Alamitos #1 Well erupted and the area of Long Beach would soon be known as one of the most productive oil areas in the world. In fact, nearby Wilmington is home to to the Phillips 66 oil refinery, the largest in California.
By the 1950s, production had slowed, though many oil wells and extraction sites remained open. Petroleum company executives turned to dangerous and extreme methods of extraction, often using hazardous chemicals.
Nearly all of these drill sites exist next to homes, schools, churches, parks, and other densely populated areas, and many of them have been camouflaged so residents don’t even know the dangers lurking in their own backyard. The sites are masked by palm trees and man-made waterfalls; or in the case of the Phillips 66 refinery, have the tanks painted around Halloween to look like pumpkins — a twisted and manipulative act, considering how much these refineries risk the lives of children. 77% of drill sites approved by current Governor Jerry Brown are in low-income or communities of color.
What are the health dangers of neighborhood drilling? To name a few:
- Premature births and birth defects
- Cancer — oil extraction uses chemicals that are known carcinogens, such as hydrochloric acid, xylene, and formaldehyde
- Other negative health effects, such as nosebleeds, chronic headaches, and burning eyes/throats
STAND-LA is a coalition that has organized to demand that there be a 2500-foot health and safety buffer between any drill sites and public spaces such as schools, parks, and homes.
Too many Los Angeles communities have existed for too long with gas and oil toxicity in their backyards. Local leaders must step up and demand that these drill sites be shut down immediately. This is environmental racism, plain and simple. Jerry Brown must show all residents that their health and well-being comes before the profits of oil and gas companies.
Live in Los Angeles? Contact your elected representatives — your California State Senators and Assemblymembers, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Mayor of Los Angeles and Los Angeles City Councilmembers — and express your concerns about neighborhood drilling.