AllenCo Oil Wells Closed Permanently
Grassroots organizing is the engine of change. This month, South Central LA residents proved it once again with a hard-fought environmental justice victory more than a decade in the making.
On February 11, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the permanent closure of all 21 oil wells at the AllenCo site, finally ending years of environmental violations that put University Park residents at risk. This milestone is part of California’s broader effort to shut down dangerous, abandoned oil wells and, above all, the result of relentless community pressure and organizing.
“This is a monumental achievement for the community who have endured an array of health issues and corporate stalling tactics for far too long,” Governor Newsom shared. “I applaud the tireless work of community activists who partnered with local and state agencies to finish the job and improve the health and safety of this community. This is a win for all Californians.”
The fight began in 2010, when University Park residents, alarmed by strong unpleasant odors, headaches, and unexplained illnesses, refused to look the other way. Alongside Esperanza Community Housing, they conducted their own investigation and organized as “People Not Pozos,” a community-led effort co-founded by youth activist Nalleli Cobo.
The grassroots group documented air quality problems, repeated health impacts, and exposed ongoing violations by the operator. As Cobo shared, “Our communities deserve to breathe clean air in our own homes. We deserve to open our windows and not worry about letting in toxins.”
Their courage sparked something bigger. “People Not Pozos” helped ignite other residents across Los Angeles, public health groups, and environmental justice organizations to form STAND-LA, a countywide coalition organizing to end neighborhood oil drilling. Together, they mobilized residents, elevated community testimony, and pressured regulators to take action. Liberty Hill Foundation is proud to have been a strategic partner and funder of this work
Finally, after years of persistence, Esperanza and its partners at STAND-LA began to see momentum. In 2020, state regulators ordered AllenCo to plug and decommission its wells after repeated violations. And now, with the permanent closure finalized, the community’s long fight has resulted in a historic win for environmental justice.
Liberty Hill has always believed in the power of grassroots organizing, and this victory is a powerful reminder of what happens when communities lead and institutions listen.
