The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council Unanimously Passes Resolution in Support of the Safe and Healthy California Campaign and in Opposition of the Repeal of SB 1137

A resolution in opposition to the repeal of SB 1137, which established basic setbacks of industrial oil operations was unanimously passed at the May 2024 San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council Delegates’ Meeting.

Resolution in Support of the Safe and Healthy California Campaign and in Opposition of the Repeal of SB 1137

WHEREAS research shows that living within half a mile of an oil well increases the risk of asthma, birth defects, high risk pregnancies, respiratory illnesses, and cancer;

WHEREAS today, more than two million Californians are exposed to the most toxic emissions, and communities of color are disproportionately harmed the most by neighborhood drilling;

WHEREAS creating a buffer separating industrial oil operations from day care centers, schools, parks, and homes is just common sense, basic human decency, and respect for the health of our families and neighbors;

WHEREAS SB 1137, which established basic setbacks, was passed and signed into law through California’s democratic process before corporate oil interests paid millions to get a referendum on the ballot to delay and then overturn the law;

WHEREAS it has been publicly documented that the opposition to SB 1137 is based on blatant falsehoods about gas prices and job losses, the truth is that while some new and expanded drilling within the setback would be prohibited moving forward, all other drilling both within and outside the setback would continue unabated and whatever small change in California production levels might result from the setback would have essentially zero effect on oil markets, which are global – meaning that a change in California production levels would have functionally zero impact on gas prices;

WHEREAS the most recent USC polling shows that over 70 percent of Californians support keeping this law;

WHEREAS supporting the repeal of SB 1137 pits labor against the vast majority of our fellow citizens and working-class communities of color, who are most at risk in particular;

WHEREAS the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council Environmental Caucus is committed to working with community allies, supporting climate justice, and fighting for the basic human rights of communities of concern;

LET IT THEREFORE BE RESOLVED that the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council supports the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California and opposes the repeal of SB 1137.