Oil industry proponents who were trying to overturn new oil well restrictions withdrew their referendum from the November ballot, following youth activism and resolutions from cities, including Del Mar and Encinitas, seeking to keep the regulations in place.

A 2022 state law prevents oil and gas wells from operating within 3,200 feet of places such as homes, daycares, parks and schools. Oil industry executives led an effort to collect more than 600,000 signatures to have California voters decide in November 2024 whether the law should be upheld.

But the referendum was withdrawn on June 27, according to a notice posted by the California secretary of state. The California Independent Petroleum Association will instead focus on a legal challenge to the law, according to a statement released by the organization.

Sofia Carrasco, a rising sophomore at Canyon Crest Academy and part of the Youth v. Oil campaign, said in a statement that the withdrawal of the referendum was a “major turning point.”

Youth v. Oil had been asking local leaders to adopt resolutions in support of the well restrictions.

“As temperatures continue to rise globally due to greenhouse gas emissions from the fossil fuel industry, we will keep fighting for a rapid, just transition to a fossil free California,” Sofia said.

San Diego City Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava added that “it is about time Big Oil recognized that Californians support healthy neighborhoods over pollution and climate destruction.”

The San Diego City Council was one of the local cities that adopted the resolution.

“The audacity to oppose sensible setbacks is a reminder that the fight to protect neighborhoods, the public’s health, and the climate are far from over,” LaCava said. “Thankfully, as we saw in San Diego, today’s youth are taking this personally and will continue fighting for their future.”

The California Independent Petroleum Association’s statement added that the referendum was up against “unfounded narratives and lack of sound science.” The organization also said it conducted a poll in April that showed 49% support for maintaining the state law, SB 1137.

“Californians do not want to further increase our dependence on expensive foreign crude when California workers can create the energy locally under the strictest regulations in the world,” the statement said. “Supporters of the energy shutdown can make unfounded claims in the press and in paid advertisements, but they can’t make those claims in court without evidence. That’s why we are pivoting from the referendum to a legal strategy since it is a violation of the US Constitution for the government to illegally take private property, particularly operations that were duly permitted by the government and all impacts mitigated.”