Governor Newsom steps up California oil and gas oversight

(San Francisco, CA – Nov. 19, 2019) California Governor Gavin Newsom today directed the state’s Department of Conservation to initiate a new process to protect public health and the environment from oil and gas production. Last night, he asked the California Public Utilities Commission to expedite the closure of the Aliso Canyon Gas Storage Facility.

EDF has appeared before both agencies in recent years to support standards to cut pollution from production and storage sites.

“At a time when the Trump administration is gutting national health and environmental protections, states are stepping up – and this is a powerful example. There are ample accounts of operators in California failing to implement basic standards that protect the public and the environment, and stronger regulations are exactly what companies can expect as a result.”

• Michael Colvin, Director, California Regulatory and Legislative Affairs