(Just The News)—Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has signed an ordinance prohibiting new oil and gas drilling throughout the city and establishing a 20-year timetable to phase out existing wells.
Under the new ordinance, current drilling sites are designated as “nonconforming uses” and must cease operations within two decades, unless an earlier deadline applies. The ordinance restricts the expansion and redevelopment of existing operations while establishing limited exceptions for work strictly necessary to address public health, safety or environmental threats.
Bass, who is running for reelection on Tuesday against Los Angeles City Council member and fellow Democrat Nithya Raman, framed the legislation as a long-overdue victory for environmental justice in frontline neighborhoods that have historically borne the brunt of urban drilling.
The Center Square reached out to Bass and her office, but did not hear back by publication time.
“For too long, communities throughout Los Angeles have lived with the impacts of oil and gas drilling in their neighborhoods, leading to significant health conditions,” Bass said in a press release on Thursday, the day she signed the ban. “Signing this ordinance is another important step toward phasing out oil and gas drilling in Los Angeles once and for all.”
The city previously passed a similar ban in December 2022, but the measure was rescinded following legal challenges from oil companies. Warren Resources, E&B Natural Resources, and Hillcrest Beverly Oil Corp sued the city of Los Angeles. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge struck down the ban in 2024.
City leaders moved forward with the updated ordinance after state lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 3233, which reaffirmed local governments’ legal authority to regulate or prohibit oil and gas development.
“The health of our communities always comes first,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, at the 2024 bill signing in Inglewood, a city in Los Angeles County.
Supporters of the measure, including members of the coalition Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling, Los Angeles and the Rev. Victor Cyrus-Franklin of Holman United Methodist Church, praised the signing as a precedent-setting moment for urban centers nationwide. However, community advocates noted that signing the law is only an initial step, calling on city officials to ensure proper plugging and cleanup of legacy sites.
Energy industry proponents argue that local bans do not eliminate the demand for fossil fuels. Rather, they shift the source for the fuels, penalizing working-class residents with higher prices at the pump and at home, analysts say.
“If Mayor Bass truly believes in the green agenda, she should live by her own rules and personally give up all oil and gas: no gas-powered cars, no flights and no plastics,” said Larry Behrens, communications director for Power the Future.
“Of course she won’t because politicians like Bass never live by the elitist rules they force on working families,” Behrens told The Center Square in an email. “Rules like this are why California imports over 60 percent of its oil from outside the United States — because bans don’t cut demand, they just drive prices to the highest in the nation.”
Data from the California Energy Commission highlights the dramatic shift in California’s oil supply over the past three decades. According to state energy reports, foreign oil accounted for less than 10% of California’s supply 30 years ago. Today, foreign imports make up roughly 61% of the state’s oil supply as local production has declined amidst expanding regulatory restrictions.
“That’s what bans do,” said Behrens.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
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The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
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Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
