Addressing Public Outrage at An Oil Field Site in Down Town Los Angeles-An Air Monitoring and Risk Mitigation Model for Other Urban Oil and Gas Operations

摘要

The City of Los Angeles has approximately 15,000 oil wells scattered throughout its greater urban area. Many are immediately adjacent to a variety of residential and other sensitive populations, including ones considered in 'environmental justice' areas. The AllenCo oil field, located near USC and down town on land leased from the Catholic Church, is a good example. With low-income housing directly across the street (including daycare), a school on one side, and university offices on another, it has been the center of long-term stakeholder concern, including demands from a US Senator to shut it down. The site has generated more complaints to the South Coast Air Quality Management District in recent years than any other site in the urban LA area.