You can visit the Center Biological Diversity’s interactive map to see if your school, healthcare center, or local park is near an idle well.
February 16, 2026 – LOS ANGELES— Thousands of idle oil and gas wells in California are concerningly close to 3,787 schools, hospitals, parks and eldercare centers, according to a new Center for Biological Diversity analysis of state data. Both idle and active oil and gas wells pose public health and safety concerns.
“This analysis highlights that idle wells could threaten the safety and health of thousands of kids, as well as sick and elderly Californians and those who care for them,” said Emily Diaz-Loar, a staff scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute. “People should feel safe in their community spaces, not worried about explosions caused by methane leaks or their air and water being contaminated by unplugged wells.”…