California Plans to Wean Itself Off Oil by 2045. Some Environmentalists Say It'll Be Too Late by Then

California has some of the most ambitious environmental goals in the country. One of them is transitioning away from oil, including a ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 and the end of oil production a decade later.

But in the short term, environmentalists are anxiously awaiting a rulemaking process in one of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s agencies. They say it will show how committed the Democrat is to meaningful action during his governorship.

NEW: California is now the first state to declare an end to oil extraction in the country.

Today, we’re announcing that we will phase out all oil extraction — as part of a world-leading effort to achieve carbon neutrality — and ban fracking by 2024.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 23, 2021

At issue is whether California should impose a buffer zone between oil drilling sites and homes, schools or hospitals. Despite its reputation as a climate leader, California has no statewide limit, unlike other oil-producing states including Pennsylvania and Colorado. Even Texas bans wells within 467 feet of a property line.

California environmentalists want a 2,500-foot space, which would be the largest of any state.

These groups point to studies that show living near active drilling sites can elevate the risk of birth defects, cancer, respiratory problems and other health issues. That’s in addition to loud sounds and foul smells. It’s not clear how far the agency will go and whether any rules would apply to new drilling, existing wells or both.

The agency’s direction holds political implications for Newsom as he faces an expected recall election in the fall. Unions typically friendly with Newsom that represent workers are aligned with the powerful oil industry, which says a statewide rule on so-called setbacks would cost jobs and raise fuel prices.

That leaves Newsom stuck between two important Democratic voting blocs — labor and environmentalists — whose support he needs this year and, if he survives, in his 2022 reelection bid.

“How he moves is going to motivate and encourage voters or discourage them,” said Gladys Limon, executive director of the California Environmental Justice Alliance. “It will set the direction in which communities will move in for the next election.”

An estimated 2 million Californians live within 2,500 feet of an active oil well, according to Voices in Solidarity Against Oil in Neighborhoods. Most active wells are in Los Angeles and Kern counties.

“They can’t wait decades to get the oil wells out of their backyard,” said Ann Alexander, a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

If Newsom doesn’t go far enough, some environmentalists could rethink their political support.

Earlier this spring, some discussed supporting an alterative recall candidate, said RL Miller, the former head of the California Democratic Party’s environmental caucus. That was before Newsom announced a 2024 ban on fracking — the process of extracting oil and gas embedded in rock deep underground — and called on state regulators to explore an end to oil production by 2045.

Miller supports Newsom, and many climate groups have endorsed him, if only because they see no viable alternative.

Meanwhile, the unions representing workers who rely on jobs related to the oil industry say a mandated buffer zone would risk good-paying jobs and raise the price of fuel.

The State Building & Construction Trades Council of California, a powerful force in Sacramento, represents about 100,000 people with industry-related jobs including laying pipes and electrical and ironwork, said President Robbie Hunter.

WSPA spent more than $1.3 million lobbying at the state Capitol in the first three months of the year. The state Building and Construction Trades Council spent $87,000. Meanwhile, the Natural Resources Defense Council spent $59,000, and the California Environmental Justice Alliance spent $13,500, according to state campaign finance filings.

The building trades union opposes the recall, Hunter said. But that won’t stop his members from pushing Newsom and his administration to see their point of view. He charged environmentalists with holding “extreme opinions.”

For now, no prominent Democrats are challenging Newsom, but that could change if he appears more at risk as the election nears.

He is not directly involved in writing the regulations. The oil regulator is working with 15 public health experts and has taken more than 40,000 comments to inform its decision. But Newsom is ultimately in control of the agency’s direction, noted Danny Cullenward, an energy economist and lawyer who studies carbon emissions.

“The ball really is in the governor’s court right now,” he said.

Associated Press reporter Adam Beam contributed to this story.