LOS ANGELES — Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky today announced a landmark agreement to close and remediate the West Pico Drill Site, a longstanding source of health and environmental concerns in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood. The agreement provides that PCEC and the Council Office will work together on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) modification providing for termination of oil extraction at the site in tandem with engaging stakeholders in a process to identify zone changes to increase residential opportunities on the site. This outcome is the result of decades of community advocacy and collaboration and represents a significant step forward in protecting public health and advancing environmental justice.
Achieving this progress would not have been possible without Pacific Coast Energy Company's (PCEC) willingness to come to the table and work collaboratively on a plan that prioritizes the needs of the community. During the closure process, PCEC will work with the Council office and community stakeholders in an inclusive community engagement process to ensure that any future development provides a true benefit to the neighborhood.
“This closure agreement is a major victory for the Pico-Robertson community and a turning point in our efforts to phase out harmful oil drilling citywide,” said Councilmember Yaroslavsky. “For too long, oil drilling sites like this one have jeopardized the health of residents and exposed families to unacceptable health and safety risks. This agreement shows that we can prioritize public health and safety while charting a path toward a healthier, more sustainable future for all Angelenos.”
The Councilwoman’s work to achieve a closure agreement responds to growing evidence about the health impacts of urban oil drilling. Studies have shown that residents living near active wells face higher rates of asthma, cancer, and other respiratory illnesses and that pregnant individuals living near oil wells are 40% more likely to experience preterm labor. The West Pico site’s closure will eliminate these dangers for the surrounding community and provide the community with an opportunity to engage with the Council Office and the property owner on potential future redevelopment. Potential future uses of the site include housing, public green space, and other community-serving amenities—transforming the property into a resource for the neighborhood.
This milestone aligns with Los Angeles’ broader efforts to phase out oil drilling in residential neighborhoods. In 2022, the City Council passed legislation to ban new oil wells and phase out existing ones, but earlier this year, the Superior Court struck down the bill citing state law. In September, the state legislature amended state law, clearing the way for the City to reinstate the ban and continue its work to protect public health and the environment. The agreement announced today not only aligns with the goals of the 2022 effort, but also provides a template for how we can accelerate the closure of oil wells across the city. By focusing on shorter timelines and collaborative frameworks, we can address the harmful impacts of urban oil drilling more effectively and deliver meaningful change for all Angelenos.