How LA is plugging hidden oil wells

Los Angeles is built on a vast oil legacy that remains largely hidden. This report reveals how active, idle and improperly plugged oil wells sit beneath neighborhoods, schools and playgrounds, often concealed inside buildings or artificial islands. Residents and activists say nearby drilling has contributed to health problems, while methane leaks and pollution remain ongoing concerns. As Los Angeles moves to phase out oil extraction, officials face the costly challenge of plugging thousands of aging and orphaned wells, with debates continuing over environmental justice, public health and who should pay for the cleanup.