§ 3281.5. — 3281.5. (Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 365, Sec. 2.)

(a)
The Legislature finds and declares that development of oil and gas fields into nonfossil fuel production and injection and related uses, including, but not limited to, housing, recreation, and commercial development, may have plugged and abandoned wells or may require existing oil and gas wells to be plugged and abandoned, or replugged and abandoned, to current statutory and regulatory standards, and that the creation of health protection zones, and the related restrictions and requirements of this article, do not apply in the context of development for nonfossil fuel production and injection and related uses.
(b)
Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of subdivision (a) of Section 3281, the division may approve notices of intention
pursuant to Section 3203 to public and private entities who own, purchase, or lease land containing idle-deserted or previously plugged and abandoned wells for the purposes of those public and private entities plugging and abandoning, or replugging and abandoning, those oil and gas wells so development of nonfossil fuel production and injection and related uses can proceed. This may include, without limitation, a notice of intention to drill or rework an intercept well, if needed to plug and abandon or replug and abandon another well on the condition that the intercept well is itself plugged and abandoned. The public and private entities, as well as any lessees, tenants, or other occupants, shall not engage in oil or gas development or production or injection or related uses for which they have submitted a notice of intention pursuant to this subdivision.

Legislative History

Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 365, Sec. 2. (SB 1137) Effective date (January 1, 2023) suspended pursuant to referendum petition. Effective June 27, 2024, pursuant to withdrawal of referendum measure.