Hazardous South L.A. oil wells plugged after decades of community pressure - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Tony Briscoe

February 14, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the permanent closure of a hazardous oil drilling site in South Los Angeles following decades of community efforts to address health risks and environmental violations. The AllenCo Energy drill site, located near St. Vincent Elementary School and several apartment buildings, has been a source of noxious fumes and chemical vapors for years, causing chronic health issues for residents, including headaches and nosebleeds. The site, owned by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, was operated by AllenCo since 2009 but repeatedly violated environmental regulations. Despite multiple warnings from state agencies, AllenCo failed to properly maintain its equipment, leading to oil spills and gas leaks. In 2020, CalGEM (California Department of Conservation’s Geologic Energy Management Division) ordered the wells to be plugged after determining that the site was in an unsafe condition. However, AllenCo ignored the order until CalGEM, with federal funding, took action this month to cap the remaining wells. This achievement marks a significant victory for local residents and activists who had long campaigned for the site’s closure. The community even sought intervention from Pope Francis, though that effort was unsuccessful. The shutdown is part of a broader state initiative to identify and plug high-risk oil and gas wells across California. Many of these “orphaned” wells, abandoned by insolvent companies, pose serious environmental and public health risks, as they continue to leak methane and toxic substances like benzene. The closure of the AllenCo site highlights the ongoing challenges of holding oil and gas companies accountable for their operations and cleanup costs. While federal and state funding has been allocated to address some of these issues, advocates argue that more needs to be done to ensure that communities affected by decades of pollution are not left footing the bill for expensive cleanups. This case underscores the importance of regulating the oil and gas industry to protect public health and the environment. The shutdown of the South Los Angeles oil site is a testament to the power of community activism and the necessity of strong environmental regulations. It serves as a reminder that hazardous industrial activities must be properly managed to prevent harm to nearby residents and the broader ecosystem. As California continues to grapple with

Verticals

newscalifornia

Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/14/2026