(On Thursday), Rep. Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) announced that House Bill 1866 is now moving forward in the Senate. The bill addresses the urgent climate and health crisis posed by abandoned oil wells by requiring companies to meet ambitious goals to plug the estimated 40,000 abandoned oil wells in California. The bill also requires operators to prioritize plugging oil wells located within 3,200 feet of homes, recreational areas, and work sites. AB 1866 is supported by over 100 organizations across California, including environmental groups, medical professionals, and climate scientists.

“This bill is simple. Oil companies that have drilled for and profited from oil should be financially responsible for plugging their old oil wells – not California taxpayers. My bill will protect communities most affected by the negative health impacts of neighborhood oil drilling, relieve taxpayers from paying for cleanup costs, and create thousands of jobs,” said Rep. Hart. “Unused oil wells in California are a major source of methane emissions, groundwater contamination, and air pollution. The facts are clear – this serious problem is getting worse and cannot be ignored. I will work hard in the remaining weeks of the legislative session to successfully pass AB 1866 through the Senate and to the Governor for his signature.”

“We are thrilled that AB 1866 is now moving forward in the Senate. This bill will hold the oil industry accountable for safely capping and shutting down their oil and gas wells,” said Linda Krop, senior counsel at the Environmental Defense Center. “Leaks from these wells cause air and water pollution and threaten public health, the environment and our climate.”

Nearly half of California’s 40,000 abandoned oil wells have not produced oil in decades. Many abandoned oil wells are at risk of becoming orphaned, meaning taxpayers must foot the bill for the cost of plugging them. Estimates suggest taxpayers could be liable for over $10 billion if these abandoned wells are orphaned. In fact, California taxpayers have already paid $100 million to plug orphaned wells in recent years, and existing taxpayer liability for orphaned wells already exceeds $1 billion.

The benefits of AB 1866 go beyond protecting taxpayers. Plugging abandoned oil wells offers a significant opportunity to strengthen California’s economy and create jobs. A recent study found that plugging these abandoned oil wells could create thousands of skilled and trained jobs across the state.

Abandoned oil wells in California are a major source of methane gas emissions, groundwater contamination, and air pollution. By one estimate, about two-thirds of abandoned oil wells are leaking methane—a climate pollutant over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Without a plan, these wells will continue to contribute to the climate crisis.

Gregg Hart represents the 37th California Assembly District, which includes Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, Buellton, Solvang, Lompoc, Guadalupe, Santa Maria, Orcutt, and Nipomo. He currently serves as Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector.