Yesterday, May 24, 2021, Board of Public Works President Greg Good announced the appointment of Erica Blyther as the new Petroleum Administrator for the City of Los Angeles Office of Petroleum and Natural Gas Administration and Safety (OPNGAS). Blyther served as Acting Petroleum Administrator since late 2019 when the previous Administrator left to run the California Geological Energy Management Division (CALGEM) of the State's Natural Resources Department.

In response to this appointment, Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling (STAND-LA) released the following statement: 

“We congratulate and look forward to continuing to work with Ms. Blyther, in her new role as Petroleum Administrator, as we work toward a healthier, more just Los Angeles. Representing frontline communities across Los Angeles who live next to toxic oil infrastructure, STAND-L.A. looks forward to seeing Ms. Blyther use the power of her new position to lead with the ultimate goal of protecting public health and ushering Los Angeles into a clean air and clean energy future for all Angeleno communities, workers and families. As the Los Angeles City Council considers the opportunity to phase out oil drilling across the City to protect communities and prepare for a just transition away from fossil fuels, we hope Ms Blyther will work with STAND-LA, the communities we represent, and the Council leaders as a partner in achieving environmental justice.”