Labor groups urge LAFCO to block Kern land transfer to Chevron; commissioners continue item

Mateo Rebecchi, representing Jobs for Justice San Francisco, addressed LAFCO on Nov. 15 to urge rejection of a proposed settlement that would transfer San Francisco‑owned Kern County land to Chevron. Rebecchi said the transfer would contradict Ordinance No. 236‑16, which limits fossil‑fuel development on city land and requires consideration of transition plans, and he warned of health, air‑quality and groundwater risks from idle or uncapped wells.

"Transferring the land back to Chevron poses risk to community health, air quality, and groundwater," Rebecchi said, and he called for the city to pursue a worker‑centered oil‑well capping project that would create union jobs for displaced oil‑field workers. He said Jobs for Justice and allied unions have pursued workforce and training models and have helped secure funding for statewide pilot projects.

Supervisor comments at the meeting recalled the 2016 keeping‑in‑the‑ground ordinance and argued the item should be continued so the supervisor who requested the agenda item (Supervisor Connie Chan, according to the chair) could present her intent. After public comment, Chair Hillary Ronan moved to continue item 5 to the call of the chair; the motion was seconded and passed by a unanimous roll‑call vote (4 ayes).

No formal transfer or settlement was approved at the meeting. The public commenter and elected officials asked staff to provide more information about whether the city must transfer the land and about alternatives that could align with climate and workforce goals.