SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a law intended to counter Trump administration plans to increase oil and gas production on protected public land.
The measure bars any California leasing authority from allowing pipelines or other oil and gas infrastructure to be built on state property. It makes it difficult for drilling to occur since federally protected areas are adjacent to state owned land.
It's one of several new laws enacted by the governor on Saturday.
Newsom also signed a law which renames the California agency that regulates the oil and gas industry. Language in the measure states the mission of the newly-christened Geologic Energy Management Division includes protecting public health and environmental quality.
The governor in July fired the agency's head over an increase in state permits for hydraulic fracturing.
