For Immediate Release, February 11, 2026
Contact:
Emily Diaz-Loar, ediazloar@biologicaldiversity.org
LOS ANGELES— Thousands of idle oil and gas wells in California are concerningly close to 3,787 schools, hospitals, parks and eldercare centers, according to a new Center for Biological Diversity analysis of state data. Both idle and active oil and gas wells pose public health and safety concerns.
“This analysis highlights that idle wells could threaten the safety and health of thousands of kids, as well as sick and elderly Californians and those who care for them,” said Emily Diaz-Loar, a staff scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute. “People should feel safe in their community spaces, not worried about explosions caused by methane leaks or their air and water being contaminated by unplugged wells.”
WATCH: Staff scientist Emily Diaz-Loar explains California’s idle oil wells problem.
Idle wells no longer produce oil or gas, but they can still leak climate-polluting gases like methane, which is explosive at high concentrations. Idle wells are also known to leak toxic chemicals such as benzene into the air and water, leading to serious health, safety and environmental risks.
The Center’s analysis of public records from the California Geologic Energy Management Division and the departments of Education, Social Services, and Public Health found that at least 4,449 idle wells are within 3,200 feet of at least one school, childcare center, healthcare facility, eldercare center, park or playground.
California has prohibited new drilling within 3,200 feet of these sensitive sites based on studies of the health harms of pollutants coming from oil and gas activity. Idle wells can also release harmful pollutants, yet thousands of idle wells remain unplugged within these health protection zones.
At-risk sensitive sites within 3,200 feet of one or more idle wells include 616 K-12 schools, 724 childcare centers, 903 healthcare facilities, 504 eldercare centers and 1,040 parks and playgrounds.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool in Los Angeles is surrounded by 328 idle wells. There are 88 idle wells near McKittrick Elementary School in Kern County. In Santa Maria, at least 123 idle wells are scattered in and around Los Flores Ranch Park.
“As a young person who lives near active and idle wells surrounding my neighborhood, I hope for real action to protect families from the health dangers of inactive wells next to our homes,” said Samantha Rangel, a Youth for Environmental Justice Member at Communities for a Better Environment. “Our communities are always left behind, and in the case of frontline residents we are left to inherit continued attacks while we eat, pray and live next to idle wells.”