Friend, did you know that nearly 3 million Californians live within 3,200 feet of an oil or gas well?

Science has shown that a 3,200-foot setback, or protective zone, between oil and gas drilling and our homes, schools, hospitals, daycare facilities, and prisons is the bare minimum needed to protect people from the worst health outcomes of living near constant oil and gas pollution.

So these 3 million Californians — mostly communities of color and low-income communities —  are at greater risk for asthma, cancers, high-risk pregnancies, and serious cases of COVID-19.

The State Assembly will be voting on a bill to stop neighborhood oil drilling in the coming days! SB 1137 would establish a common-sense health and safety setback between oil and gas sites and homes, schools, childcare facilities, healthcare facilities, and other sensitive locations.

Can you give your Assemblymember a quick call to make sure they’re voting YES on SB 1137?

Friend, instituting oil setbacks is a HUGE environmental justice priority, and something EnviroVoters has been advocating for with our partners for years.

Securing a 3,200-foot setback is crucial to the health and safety of our most overburdened neighbors.

While we like to think of California as an innovator and leader when it comes to the environment, the reality is that we are far behind the norm on the issue of protective setbacks. Even Texas has statewide buffer zone requirements!

It’s time to meet the urgency of the climate emergency by prioritizing the frontline communities it impacts most. We can no longer sacrifice our health and the health of our children, neighbors, and friends to the oil and gas industry.

Friend, I’m asking you today to take two minutes to help protect our communities and end the legacy of environmental racism in California: Call your Assemblymember to urge them to vote YES on SB 1137.

The Assembly will be hearing this bill any day now, so call today before it’s too late!

Thanks for doing your part.

Melissa Romero
Senior Legislative Manager
California Environmental Voters
(formerly California League of Conservation Voters)

EnviroVoters is hiring! Join us to work on critical climate legislation work.

California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), formerly California League of Conservation Voters, exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. To protect our air, land, water, and future, we organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. Our vision is to solve the climate crisis, build resilient, connected, healthy communities, and create a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all.