How These Neighbors Took On The Oil Company In Their Backyard And Won

LOADING ERROR LOADING Over more than 30 years living on Budlong Avenue, Lillian Marenco became used to the smell of rotten eggs and diesel fuel that seeped through her closed bedroom and kitchen windows day and night. “These violations threaten the community’s health and safety, as well as disrupt the peaceful enjoyment of their homes.” The petition documented studies on the chemicals produced in oil extraction and reports of toxic emissions from the Jefferson Boulevard drill site. “It’s environmental racism,” said Richard Parks, a South Los Angeles resident and president of Redeemer Community Partnership, the organization that led the charge to hold the owners of the Jefferson site accountable. “The closure of the Jefferson Drill Site is the latest step in our work to put communities first, keep the air clean, and move our city closer to a fossil fuel-free future.” “No one should be facing health impacts because they live too close to an oil well.” - Damon Nagami, Natural Resources Defense Council The city says it’s evaluating the feasibility of a proposal by STAND-LA to force oil companies to phase out oil drilling and other “sensitive land uses” within 2,500 feet of homes, hospitals and schools. Muratsuchi’s district includes Warner Energy & Power’s oil drilling site in Wilmington, a community in Los Angeles’ harbor area about 20 miles south of the Jefferson drill site.