When Youth Fought Big Oil, and Won!

How youth action defeated a multi-million dollar Big Oil referendum

Oil drilling in California

Out of America’s fifty states, California stands out. Its pristine beaches, stunning views, and snowy mountains make it one of America’s finest areas. However, beneath the surface, the state isn’t exactly the shining jewel we perceive it to be. 

Although California’s oil industry has declined since the last century, it is still the seventh largest producer in the United States, producing 130,593 Mbbl (thousands of barrels) of crude oil annually (wisevoter). Unfortunately, many of California's oil wells are close to homes, schools, and businesses; 2.5 million Californians live within 3,200 feet of an oil or gas well, most of whom are from non-white (70%), low-income communities (Cart).

Oil wells can result in catastrophic health effects; according to Mabel Tsang, the political director for the California Environmental Justice Alliance, they’re known to cause heart disease, respiratory emergencies, preterm developmental impacts, and miscarriages (Cart). One case is Josiah Edwards, who grew near an oil well in Los Angeles. He spent his childhood getting bloody noses from the refineries’ pollutants, and he and his family have asthma (Newburger). Of course, those affected aren’t from the upper crust of California’s society; the victims are primarily from disadvantaged communities, furthering America’s social divide.     However, the impacts of oil wells aren’t just limited to local communities; they also have a horrible effect on the global environment. Oil and gas operations release tons of harmful pollutants, including methane, into the air and discharge chemicals into the water, thereby degrading California’s air and water supply (WorldWildLife). It’s no wonder 19 of America’s 20 most polluted cities were in California (IQAir)!

Luckily, Democratic state legislators developed a solution to mitigate these effects: SB-1137. Signed into law by Gavin Newson in 2022, the bill prohibits the modification/construction of oil wells within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, businesses, and health centers: “No new production facilities shall be constructed or operated in a health protection zone” (California Legislative Information).

SB-1137 would have remarkably affected California’s health, safety, and global environment. Unfortunately, the CIPA [California Independent Petroleum Association] spent $20 million collecting signatures to put the bill on referendum, claiming it would eliminate jobs and drive up gas prices (Cart). In reality, oil industry jobs have already been declining rapidly (by 40% from 2012) (Consumer Watchdog), and well remediation and safety monitoring would have created many jobs(Gender Equity Policy Institute). Californians already pay extremely high gas prices; if anything, the bill would have encouraged a quicker transition to clean energy. 

With California’s future in jeopardy, several youth groups mobilized to convince voters to eliminate the referendum in the 2024 election. Youth v. Oil, an affiliate of the San Diego-based climate organization SanDiego350, passed resolutions in five cities, San Diego, Encinitas, La Mesa, Del Mar, and Vista, to support the bill. Additionally, the group spoke to political organizations such as the San Diego Progressive Democrats and at events such as the May CADEM Meeting (SanDiego350). 

But the campaigning didn’t just stop there; the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California mounted a massive effort that drew support from a diverse range of groups, including hundreds of environmental justice groups (such as the Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment), science organizations (such as the Center for Biological Diversity) labor unions, and grassroots activists. Some high-profile celebrities even got involved, such as Jane Fonda and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (Climate Reality Bay Area).

Eventually, Big Oil did the unexpected: on June 27, 2024, after spending $61 million trying to quash opposition, the CIPA officially withdrew their referendum. This put SB-1137 immediately into effect; it was a monumental victory for climate activists everywhere, and it proved the effectiveness of youth activism. The youth activists were ecstatic. “ I am so proud of our work and feel so empowered by what grassroots activism has achieved,” exclaimed Youth v. Oil head Emma Weibel. “This is a win for climate justice and for our futures" (SanDiego350).

In a way, the story of SB-1137 is the perfect example of a David v. Goliath tale: grassroots activists, led by motivated youth, took on mighty Big Oil and defeated them with barely a rock and a slingshot. Hopefully, this event will pave the way for future youth activism and ensure all Californians have a safe and healthy future.

Works Cited

“Air Quality in California.” IQAir, IQAir, www.iqair.com/us/usa/california?srsltid=AfmBOopP3zraacuwZCZJibVamKme1YEabdQXzmqZqsuIS_TcreAAFFse. Accessed 7 Sept. 2024. 

Cart, Julie. “Controversial Measure Overturning Oil Well Restrictions Won’t Be on California Ballot.” CalMatters, CalMatters, 27 June 2024, calmatters.org/environment/2024/06/oil-ballot-california/. 

Gepi. “California’s Oil and Gas Workers.” Gender Equity Policy Institute, Gender Equity Policy Institute, Jan. 2023, thegepi.org/california-oil-gas-workers/. 

“New Analysis Reveals Fossil Fuel Industry’s Job Claims Are ‘Wildly Inaccurate’ In California, U.S.” Consumer Watchdog, Consumer Watchdog, 26 Jan. 2022, consumerwatchdog.org/in-the-news/new-analysis-reveals-fossil-fuel-industrys-job-claims-are-wildly-inaccurate-california/. 

Newburger, Emma. “‘ground Zero for Pollution:’ in This L.A. Neighborhood Surrounded by Oil Refineries, Residents Grapple with Health Issues.” CNBC, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2021, www.cnbc.com/2021/10/09/oil-wells-in-la-nearby-residents-grapple-with-health-problems.html#:~:text=Research%20shows%20that%20people%20who,asthma%2C%20respiratory%20disease%20and%20cancer. 

“Oil and Gas Development.” World Wildlife Fund, World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org/threats/oil-and-gas-development. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024. 

“Oil Production by State.” Wisevoter, Wisevoter, wisevoter.com/state-rankings/oil-production-by-state/. Accessed 7 Sept. 2024. 

“Safe and Healthy California.” SanDiego350, SanDiego350, sandiego350.org/teams/sb-1137/. Accessed 7 Sept. 2024. 

“SB-1137 Oil and Gas: Operations: Location Restrictions: Notice of Intention: Health Protection Zone: Sensitive Receptors.” California Legislative Information, Government of California, 16 Sept. 2022, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billHistoryClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB1137.