Oakland, California– In response to Governor Newsom’s announcement on oil production in California, Annie Leonard, Greenpeace USA Executive Director said:
“As one of the country’s largest oil producers, California has the opportunity to show the world what a truly just transition off fossil fuels looks like.
“We’re encouraged that Governor Newsom is talking about a just transition and a managed decline off of fossil fuels, and that he’s taking a step in establishing a moratorium on high pressure cyclic steam extraction. What’s really needed is a halt on all new oil and gas drilling permits.
“We also need to urgently protect the health of millions of Californians already living next to oil and gas drilling by instituting the 2500’ public health setback that communities have been calling for for years. Every day these wells operate is another day that Californians are suffering the health impacts of oil and gas extraction next to their homes, schools, and hospitals.
“Today’s action should be the first of many that Governor Newsom takes to transition California off fossil fuels in a way that protects communities, workers, and the environment. Governor Newsom has the opportunity to act at the scale required by the climate and public health crisis by stopping new oil and gas drilling, dropping existing production, and rolling out public health setbacks. Greenpeace will continue to push Governor Newsom to build on this first step and ensure that it is the first of many.”
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Contact: Valentina Stackl, Senior Communications Specialist. [email protected], +1 (734) 276 6260
