New S. Calif. Urban Oil Field Rules Tighten Emissions Controls

"Regional air quality officials have tightened rules on odors and fumes coming from thousands of wells at hundreds of urban oil fields in Southern California. The move comes after coordinated campaigns by people living near oil operations in Huntington Beach, Whittier, and South Los Angeles.

Regulations set by the South Coast Air Quality Management District will require signs posted in English and Spanish that explain how to report noxious smells, and more cleaning of well equipment when community complaints come in.

If oil mists over a school, health care facility or house, as it did at the Jefferson Oil field in South L.A. a few years back, the oil field operator now will have to report to regulators why it happened. Where problems are chronic in dense and residential areas, some oil fields will have to install new monitoring systems."

Molly Peterson reports for KPCC September 4, 2015.