CA AB1328

Extends the time period for commencing well abandonment operations from one year to 24 months before a notice of intention is deemed canceled.

Requires the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, to conduct an independent study of fugitive emissions from idle, idle-deserted, and abandoned wells across a sample of up to 500 wells with a maximum cost of $1,000,000.

Requires oil and gas operators with selected wells to provide reasonable access to division personnel and independent experts for emissions testing and to certify that no actions were taken to reduce emissions within 72 hours before sampling.

Mandates publication of interim progress report by January 1, 2021, all testing results in machine-readable format by January 1, 2022, and final study results by January 1, 2023 on the department's website.

Study shall measure greenhouse gases, toxic air contaminants, and volatile organic compounds using EPA Reference Method 21, optical gas imaging, or alternative methodologies, with final written document including executive summary and hydrocarbon emissions estimates due July 1, 2022.