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California's Bold Move: AB 3155 Targets Oil Drillers for Health Hazards

Imagine living a stone's throw away from an oil drilling site. The constant hum of machinery is your lullaby, and the air you breathe is tinged with an acrid smell. For many Californians, this scenario isn't a stretch of the imagination but a daily reality. Assemblymember Laura Friedman is spearheading a legislative effort, through AB 3155, to change this narrative by imposing stricter liabilities on oil drillers operating near homes, schools, and workplaces.

Friedman takes aim at oil drilling near homes, schools and workplaces

Assemblymember Laura Friedman, who is one of more than a dozen candidates running to become West Hollywood’s next representative in Congress, launched a new legislative effort this week to impose stricter liabilities on oil drillers operating within proximity to residential areas, schools, and workplaces.

Friedman Introduces Bill to Hold Oil Drillers Financially Liable for Harm Caused by Their Drilling

While it has long been known that oil drilling can cause cancer, respiratory illnesses and birth defects, holding oil drillers liable for the illnesses caused by their drilling in safety zones (established as 3,200 feet within areas where people live, work, or attend school) if the company did not use the best technologies to control the pollution has long been a challenge.

Friedman Introduces Consumer Watchdog Sponsored Bill to Hold Oil Drillers Financially Liable for Harm Caused by Their Drilling

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- While it has long been known that oil drilling can cause cancer, respiratory illnesses and birth defects, holding oil drillers liable for the illnesses caused by their drilling in safety zones (established as 3,200 feet within areas where people live, work, or attend school) if the company did not use the best technologies to control the pollution has long been a challenge.

Your guide to the hottest climate action in Sacramento

We’ve made it past the Friday deadline for lawmakers to introduce new bills this session, and as expected, their staffers were busy until the final buzzer.

Solar: Assemblymember Laura Friedman has said she plans to amend her AB 2256 to boost rooftop solar by including environmental and societal benefits in the way the CPUC calculates its value.

California Needs Affordable Rooftop Solar

We all know our climate stands on the brink of disaster. Fixing that will be no easy feat, but it’s clear where the challenge ends and begins. We must reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and we must stop setting our own planet on fire. That’s so much harder than it sounds. But there are two obvious steps that eco-conscious consumers can make, especially as the price comes down on both: making the transition to an electric vehicle and installing solar electricity systems. Both of these are wonderful transitions to make and are good for our environment.