California governor, celebrities and activists launch campaign to protect law limiting oil wells

By SOPHIE AUSTIN and DAMIAN DOVARGANES
Associated Press/Report for America

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jane Fonda are calling on voters to keep a law banning new oil and gas wells near homes, schools and hospitals as the oil industry fights to overturn it. The governor, celebrities and activists met in Los Angeles on Friday to launch a campaign to keep the 2022 law. Californians will vote on a referendum in November to decide whether to keep the law. Proponents say it will protect the public from the health impacts of oil and gas pollution. Oil companies say it will hurt an industry that brings in large state and local tax revenues.