Oil and gas companies are poised to block the implementation of a California law passed this year that would end drilling within just over half a mile of schools, businesses, and residences.
A signature-gathering effort to turn oil setback requirements into a 2024 ballot question has garnered more than 978,000 signatures, the California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA), which is spearheading the effort, said Tuesday. If just under 625,000 signatures are successfully verified, the measure would qualify for a referendum.
The referendum would delay and could overturn safeguards that Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) made a cornerstone of his environmental agenda. The ...