by Mark Olalde and Ryan Menezes, LA Times

Highlights:

• 35,000 wells have been sitting idle for years because of suspended production, which can contaminate the water supplies and cause fumes to leak
• Fossil fuel companies are required by law to set aside bonds for the clean up and remediation of oil well sites but the bonds might not hold enough funds to cover the expected billions of dollars needed for clean up
• Until wells are unplugged and dismantled they can emit toxic chemicals and flammable gasses into the pipes that connect to homes.
• More people of color and of low-income status live near an oil well, increasing their exposure to harmful emissions

See more news on the fossil fuel industry and social justice.

Read more: https://www.latimes.com/projects/california-oil-well-drilling-idle-cleanup/

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Maddie Maffia

Communications Associate at The Climate Center

Madelyn is a graduate of Oregon State University, with a degree in environmental science with specializations in aquatic biology and environmental water resources.

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