Support for Director’s Determination re Murphy Drill Site
Passed by
- Bel Air-Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council
- Brentwood Community Council
- Del Rey Neighborhood Council
- Mar Vista Community Council
- Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa
- Pacific Palisades Community Council (modified version)
- Palms Neighborhood Council
- Westside Neighborhood Council
- Westwood Neighborhood Council
Motion
Whereas, the City of Los Angeles has a history of discriminatory and disparate treatment in its oil drilling environmental compliance requirements whereby some communities are afforded greater protections from pollution and noise from oil drilling operations while other communities are not;
Whereas, the Murphy Drill site location in West Adams is an example of a community that has been exposed to toxic fumes and noise pollution that could be partially abated through facility enclosure and electrification of workover rigs and power supply, as has been done in wealthier communities, but have not been;
Whereas, on February 28, 2023, the City’s Planning Department issued a Letter of Determination on Case No. ZA-1959-15227-O-PA6 requiring additional and modified conditions for the continued operation of the Murphy Oil Drill Site “to increase the protection of and to preserve the health, safety and general welfare of the residents and stakeholders of the neighborhood”;
Whereas, on March 13, 2023, E & B Natural Resources the operator of the Murphy Drill site filed an appeal to the City’s Letter of Determination;
Therefore, the [WRAC member] calls on the City of Los Angeles to uphold its February 28 Letter of Determination.
Background
See Background Report linked below. Contact Ravi Sankaran with any questions.
See also DRNC 4/19/23 Letter at DRNC Letters.
NOTE: Although the appeal hearing before the South LA Area Planning Commission (SLAAPC) was originally scheduled for June 20, 2023. we are advised that the SLAAPC has postponed the hearing, which now may take place in October (date TBA).
All WRAC member Councils that pass this motion prior to the hearing are urged to submit individual comment letters to the SLAAPC.
SLAAPC deadlines for submission of written comments: “Initial Submissions, not limited as to volume, must be received by the Commission Executive Assistant no later than by 4:00 p.m. on the Monday prior to the week of the Commission meeting. Materials must be emailed to apcsouthla@lacity.org. Secondary Submissions in response to a Staff Recommendation Report or additional comments must be received electronically no later than 3:00 p.m., Thursday of the week prior to the Commission meeting.”
WRAC will post the continued SLAAPC meeting date notice and/or agenda on this webpage when it becomes available.
Note again that member Councils’ position letters should be forwarded directly to the SLAAPC by the deadlines set forth above.
Download additional background
Notes
PPCC modified version at www.pacpalicc.org / motions & positions (WRAC motions)